Level 3 Communications : Statement on Verizon-INCOMPAS Letter Regarding Special Access

BROOMFIELD, Colo., June 27, 2016 - Today, Verizon Communications and INCOMPAS, a trade association representing competitive network and technology companies, filed a letter with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposing a framework for reform of the market for business data services, also known as special access, to promote competition for enterprise communications services.

The following statement is from Joseph Cavender, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for Federal Affairs at Level 3 Communications:

'For more than a decade, American consumers, businesses, nonprofits and government institutions have been waiting for the FCC to take action and spur competition in the market for business data services, the wireline connections powering our data-driven world. While it may not get much attention, the business data services market is a $45 billion business enabling everything from mobile phones to the internet to ATMs. We'd like to thank FCC Chairman Wheeler for committing to bringing long-overdue reform to this critical market, which begins the process of breaking the incumbents' hold for the benefit of consumers, competitors and the broader U.S. economy.

Level 3 is pleased to support today's Verizon-INCOMPAS letter. The comments we plan to file tomorrow will help to provide the FCC with a path to adopting necessary reforms, consistent with the approach outlined in the Verizon-INCOMPAS letter. We look forward to continuing to work with the Commission and other stakeholders to bring the benefits of competition to the business data services market.'

About Level 3 Communications

Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT) is a Fortune 500 company that provides local, national and global communications services to enterprise, government and carrier customers. Level 3's comprehensive portfolio of secure, managed solutions includes fiber and infrastructure solutions; IP-based voice and data communications; wide-area Ethernet services; video and content distribution; data center and cloud-based solutions. Level 3 serves customers in more than 500 markets in over 60 countries across a global services platform anchored by owned fiber networks on three continents and connected by extensive undersea facilities. Level 3 services are provided by subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc. For more information, visit www.level3.com or get to know us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

© Level 3 Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Level 3, Level 3 Communications, Level (3) and the Level 3 Logo are either registered service marks or service marks of Level 3 Communications, LLC and/or one of its Affiliates in the United States and elsewhere. Any other service names, product names, company names or logos included herein are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Level 3 services are provided by subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc.

Forward-Looking Statement

Some statements made in this press release are forward-looking in nature and 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. Important factors that could prevent Level 3 from achieving its stated goals include, but are not limited to, the company's ability to: increase revenue from its services to realize its targets for financial and operating performance; develop and maintain effective business support systems; manage system and network failures or disruptions; avert the breach of its network and computer system security measures; develop new services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; manage the future expansion or adaptation of its network to remain competitive; defend intellectual property and proprietary rights; manage risks associated with continued uncertainty in the global economy; manage continued or accelerated decreases in market pricing for communications services; obtain capacity for its network from other providers and interconnect its network with other networks on favorable terms; successfully integrate future acquisitions; effectively manage political, legal, regulatory, foreign currency and other risks it is exposed to due to its substantial international operations; mitigate its exposure to contingent liabilities; and meet all of the terms and conditions of its 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.