EarthLink Selects Level 3 As Underlying Provider For New Consumer VoIP Offering

Level 3 Accelerates Deployment of EarthLink’s Bundled Internet and Voice Service

BROOMFIELD, Colo., April 19, 2006 Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT), announced today an expanded relationship with EarthLink (Nasdaq:ELNK) to serve as the underlying provider for EarthLink’s newest Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) initiative, EarthLink DSL and Home Phone Service. Under the terms of the multi-year agreement, Level 3® VoIP Enhanced Local service will provide nationwide local voice service to EarthLink as part of a bundled voice and broadband Internet package that includes features such as caller ID, voicemail and 3-way calling bundled with multiple speeds of DSL Internet access.

The Level 3® VoIP Enhanced Local service supports EarthLink’s local, long distance and international voice traffic, providing voice origination, voice termination, directory listings, and caller ID. The service also enables EarthLink to connect its customers to the public switched telephone network when they make calls to traditional telephones or mobile devices. Included in the service is Level 3’s award-winning E-911 Direct service, which provides industry-leading nationwide coverage for enhanced 911 service.

“Our goal is to provide our customers with innovative voice and Internet services that also deliver on their needs for quality, price and reliability,“ said Steve Howe, vice president of voice services for EarthLink. ”Level 3 helps us meet that goal by offering broad coverage and a quick time-to-market.”

“We are pleased that EarthLink has selected Level 3 to expand their VoIP initiatives,“ said Myrle McNeal, senior vice president of local voice services for Level 3. ”We believe that Internet service providers are well positioned to offer consumers an easy-to-use bundle of services, including voice services that will drive the adoption of VoIP. Level 3 enables our ISP customers to accelerate deployment of their VoIP services by delivering full-featured, advanced and reliable solutions"

In September 2005, EarthLink selected Level 3 to support its trueVoicesm VoIP service offering. Under the terms of that agreement, Level 3 provides its VoIP Enhanced Local service including local telephone numbers that EarthLink can assign to its voice customers.

Level 3’s VoIP Enhanced Local Service
Level 3’s VoIP Enhanced Local service provides the essential components required to offer reliable and high-quality local voice service. These components include network trunking, local numbers, local number portability, E-911, operator assistance, directory listings, and directory assistance. VoIP Enhanced Local service also allows Level 3 customers to manage and control end-user features to customize the service for their enduser customers.

About Level 3 Communications
Level 3 (Nasdaq:LVLT) is an international communications and information services company. The company operates one of the largest Internet backbones in the world, is one of the largest providers of wholesale dial-up service to ISPs in North America and through its customers, is the primary provider of Internet connectivity for millions of broadband subscribers. The company offers a wide range of communications services over its broadband fiber optic network including Internet Protocol (IP) services, broadband transport and infrastructure services, colocation services, and patented softswitch managed modem and voice services. Its Web address is www.Level3.com.

The company offers information services through its subsidiary, Software Spectrum, and fiber-optic and satellite video delivery solutions through its subsidiary, Vyvx. For additional information, visit their respective Web sites at www.softwarespectrum.com and www.vyvx.com.

Level 3 and the Level 3 logo are registered service marks of Level 3 Communications, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Level 3 services are offered by wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3
Communications, Inc.
EarthLink and the EarthLink logo are registered trademarks of EarthLink, Inc. Trademarks are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Forward-Looking Statement
Some of the statements made by Level 3 in this press release are forward-looking in nature. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements. Level 3 believes that its primary risk factors include, but are not limited to: increasing the volume of traffic on Level 3’s network; developing new products and services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; successfully completing commercial testing of new technology and information systems to support new products and services, including voice transmission services; stabilizing or reducing the rate of price compression on certain of our communications services; integrating strategic acquisitions; attracting and retaining qualified management and other personnel; ability to meet all of the terms and conditions of our debt obligations; overcoming Software Spectrum’s reliance on financial incentives, volume discounts and marketing funds from software publishers; and reducing downward pressure of Software Spectrum’s margins as a result of the use of volume licensing and maintenance agreements. 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 release should be evaluated in light of these important factors.

Contact Information

Jennifer Daumler

Media Contact

Level 3 Communications, Inc.

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