BROOMFIELD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) today announced that it has been selected by the North Florida Broadband Authority (NFBA), a government entity dedicated to bringing broadband services to the North Florida region, to improve broadband connectivity for Florida businesses.
The NFBA covers a 14-county area of northern Florida, which is underserved with broadband Internet access. Level 3’s services will enable the NFBA to bring high-speed wireless IP access and middle-mile connectivity to businesses and government entities in these rural communities.
“With increasing enterprise and government reliance upon broadband connections, it is crucial to invest in network infrastructure that will enable our less-connected regions to participate in the rapidly expanding global system of commerce,” said Robert Sheets, general manager for the NFBA. “Our organization exists solely for the purpose of connecting rural communities with high-speed broadband, and working with Level 3’s unique assets and Extended On-Net service enables us to offer the North Florida region a cost-effective solution for delivering innovative telecommunications services.”
Under the terms of the five-year agreement, Level 3 will provide the NFBA with two one-Gigabit (Gb) wavelength circuits delivered in four rural markets via Level 3’s unique Extended On-Net assets along with high-speed Internet Protocol (HSIP) services in Tampa, Fla. and Orlando, Fla. Additionally, Level 3 will provide the NFBA with gateway colocation in Tampa and Orlando and help build out four in-line amplifier (ILA) sites across North Central Florida. The terms of the agreement include a lit services indefeasible right of use (IRU), which the NFBA intends to fund using resources provided by the federal government’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program.
“Rural enterprises have become increasingly dependent upon telecommunications services to ensure that they remain relevant within a global business environment,” said Andrew Crouch, president of Sales for Level 3. “We are delighted to work with the NFBA to provide rural enterprises, governments and communities with the ability to connect to our efficient IP backbone.”
Level 3 leverages the power of its extensive fiber-optic network, metro assets and a locally focused sales and sales support organization to deliver world-class services to enterprise customers and service providers throughout the United States.
About Level 3 Communications
Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) is a leading international provider of fiber-based communications services. Enterprise, content, wholesale and government customers rely on Level 3 to deliver services with an industry-leading combination of scalability and value over an end-to-end fiber network. Level 3 offers a portfolio of metro and long-haul services, including transport, data, Internet, content delivery and voice. For more information, visit www.Level3.com.
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Forward-Looking Statement
Some of the statements made in this press release are forward looking in nature. These statements are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. These forward looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside Level 3’s control, which could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. The most important factors that could prevent Level 3 from achieving its stated goals include, but are not limited to, the current uncertainty in the global financial markets and the global economy; disruptions in the financial markets that could affect Level 3’s ability to obtain additional financing; as well as the company’s ability to: increase and maintain the volume of traffic on the network; successfully integrate acquisitions; develop effective business support systems; defend intellectual property and proprietary rights; manage system and network failures or disruptions; develop new services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; adapt to rapid technological changes that lead to further competition; attract and retain qualified management and other personnel; and meet all of the terms and conditions of debt obligations. Additional information concerning these and other important factors can be found within Level 3’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. Level 3 is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.