BROOMFIELD, Colo. and WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Level
3 Communications (Nasdaq: LVLT) and Cogent Communications (Amex: COI) today
announced that the companies have agreed on terms to continue to exchange
Internet traffic under a modified version of their original peering agreement.
The modified peering arrangement allows for the continued exchange of traffic
between the two companies' networks, and includes commitments from each party
with respect to the characteristics and volume of traffic to be exchanged.
Under the terms of the agreement, the companies have agreed to the
settlement-free exchange of traffic subject to specific payments if certain
obligations are not met.
The modified arrangement is designed to mitigate any impact to customers'
Internet connectivity as it sets forth an agreed process to protect customers
upon the expiration of the peering relationship, or upon violations of the
agreement that are not remedied in accordance with the revised agreement.
Those protections include advance written notice to the customers of each
party upon termination of the agreement, as well as terms assuring the
continued exchange of traffic for a reasonable transition period.
The specific terms of the agreement are confidential.
As part of today's joint announcement, Level 3 and Cogent underscored
their common view that the implementation of their modified peering agreement,
effective immediately, serves the best interests of both companies' customers.
As a result of the agreement, Level 3 will not proceed with disconnection on
November 9, as previously announced.
About Cogent Communications
Cogent Communications (Amex: COI) is the number one provider of Ethernet
services in the United States based on the number of ports in service as
ranked by Ovum-RHK and is one of the fastest growing Tier 1 ISPs in the world.
Its facilities based, all-optical network delivers ultra-high speed Internet
access and transport services to businesses and service providers in major
metropolitan areas. Cogent offers services across its 30,600-mile IP network
spanning 12 countries located in North America and Europe.
The combination of technology, IP network architecture and unique business
model make Cogent one of the most popular solutions for reliable,
cost-effective Internet service in the industry. Cogent offers several
focused services that complement its On-Net Internet access service including
dedicated Off-Net (T1, T3) Internet service, colocation services in 28 data
centers across North America and Europe, and Layer 2 Point-to-Point services
in every On-Net market.
Cogent Communications is headquartered at 1015 31st Street, NW,
Washington, D.C. 20007. For more information, visit http://www.cogentco.com. Cogent
Communications can be reached in the United States at (202) 295-4200 or via
email at info@cogentco.com.
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 is the primary provider of Internet connectivity for
millions of broadband subscribers, through its cable and DSL partners. The
company offers a wide range of communications services over its 23,000-mile
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
http://www.Level3.com.
The company offers information services through its subsidiaries, Software
Spectrum and (i)Structure. For additional information, visit their respective
Web sites at http://www.softwarespectrum.com and
http://www.i-structure.com.
The Level 3 logo is a registered service mark of Level 3 Communications,
Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Services described in this
press release are provided by wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3
Communications, Inc.
Cogent Forward-Looking Statements
Information in this release may involve expectations, beliefs, plans,
intentions or strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements
included in this release are based upon information available to Cogent
Communications Group, Inc. as of the date of the release, and we assume no
obligation to update any such forward-looking statement. The statements in
this release are not guarantees of future performance and actual results could
differ materially from our current expectations. Numerous factors could cause
or contribute to such differences. Some of the factors and risks associated
with our business are discussed in Cogent's registration statements filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and in its other reports filed from
time to time with the SEC.
Level 3 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: developing new products and
services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins;
increasing the volume of traffic on Level 3's network; overcoming the softness
in the economy given its disproportionate effect on the telecommunications
industry; integrating strategic acquisitions; attracting and retaining
qualified management and other personnel; successfully completing commercial
testing of new technology and information systems to support new products and
services, including voice transmission services; 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; reducing downward pressure of Software Spectrum's margins
as a result of the use of volume licensing and maintenance agreements; and
reducing rate of price compression on certain of the Company's existing
transport and IP services. 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.
SOURCE Level 3 Communications
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Related links:
http://www.level3.com
http://www.cogentco.com
CONTACT:
Media, Jeff Henriksen, +1-202-550-5493,
jhenriksen@cogentco.com, or Melissa Power, +1-401-454-1314,
Melissa_Power@interprosepr.com, both of Cogent Communications; or
Josh Howell, +1-720-888-2517, or Jennifer Daumler,
+1-720-888-3356, or Investors, Robin Grey, +1-720-888-2518, or
Sandra Curlander, +1-720-888-2501, all of Level 3 Communications
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