YouTube Selects Level 3 for End-to-End Backbone

Level 3 to Provide High Speed Internet Access with Multiple Full-Rate 10 GigE Ports

Level 3 Launches 10 GigE LAN PHY Wavelength Service

BOSTON, Mass., September 12, 2006, Level 3 Communications Content Markets group today announced it has been selected by YouTube to support the company’s rapidly growing online video entertainment service. Under the terms of the agreement, Level 3 will provide Level 3® High Speed Internet Access and Wavelengths via Multiple 10 gigabits per second (10GigE) ports. Level 3 will also provide 10 GigE LAN PHY wavelength service across a nationwide footprint connecting YouTube’s data centers.

“We selected Level 3 because we needed a carrier with a highly advanced, stable, scalable network and a service portfolio that would enable us to manage the magnitude of growth that we continue to experience with more than 100 million videos being watched per day on our site,” said Steve Chen, chief technology officer and co-founder at YouTube.

“We admire YouTube’s creative innovation and are excited to help facilitate their rapid traffic growth,” said Brady Rafuse, president of Level 3 Content Markets group. “Level 3’s Network was built for bandwidth-intensive applications like video, and this agreement with YouTube is a prime example of the larger trend we’re seeing for increased capacity demand.”

10GigE LAN PHY, a dedicated Ethernet point-to-point service, is now available as a standard enhancement to the Level 3 intercity wavelength service. The service is available across the majority of Level 3’s fiber-based network in the United States and in Europe, including extensions to key metropolitan points of presence. With its 10GigE LAN PHY offering, Level 3 enables customers to leverage cost-effective and familiar Ethernet technology to build and grow large IP backbones or storage networks.

“Level 3 is a leading provider of wavelength and other high capacity services, and 10GigE LAN PHY services are a natural extension to our service offerings,” said Rafuse. “Customers can immediately take advantage of Level 3’s early network investment in new technology, as well as our extensive coverage in North America and Europe.”

Level 3 has continuously invested in its network, and with one of the world’s largest IP backbones, the company provides reliable high capacity to meet growing demand from customers with rich media traffic. The company offers Internet connectivity in 82 key markets in addition to a comprehensive suite of network services that serve as building blocks for its customers’ diverse service offerings. Level 3 has the scalability, performance, and service portfolio to support rich media content delivery solutions as its customers’ network needs evolve.

About Level 3 Communications
Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: LVLT), an international communications company, operates one of the largest Internet backbones in the world. Through its customers, Level 3 is the primary provider of Internet connectivity for millions of broadband subscribers. The company provides a comprehensive suite of services over its broadband fiber optic network including Internet Protocol (IP) services, broadband transport and infrastructure services, colocation services, voice services and voice over IP services. These services provide building blocks that enable Level 3’s customers to meet their growing demands for advanced communications solutions. The company’s Web address is www.Level3.com.

“Level 3 Communications,” ”Level 3" and the Level 3 Communications logo are registered service marks of Level 3 Communications, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Any other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. Level 3 services are provided by wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc.

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; and the ability to meet all of the terms and conditions of our 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 release should be evaluated in light of these important factors.

Contact Information

Jennifer Daumler

Media Contact

Level 3 Communications, Inc.

Contact via E-mail