Level 3 introduces SD-WAN for enterprise customers

Level 3 Communications, which is in the process of being acquired by CenturyLink, announced that, with rising demand for agile, efficient network solutions due to the growth in connected devices and applications in the cloud, it is launching a new SD-WAN offering, which applies software-defined networking (SDN) technology to the network edge.

Level 3's SD-WAN provides customers with the ability to create secure private networks over a mix of public and private infrastructure, with site-to-site encryption, regardless of access or backbone method, including DSL, cable, LTE, Internet and MPLS. The SD-WAN solution also provides enterprises with centralised management and control, enabling traffic steering on an application-by-application basis or by access type and the connection of disparate sites across different backbone connections.

Level 3's new SD-WAN offering is designed to enable enterprise customers to:

1.         Respond to changing business demands via rapid site deployment through zero-touch configuration.

2.         Optimise application performance and bandwidth utilisation utilising performance-based routing and traffic steering by application.

3.         Implement centralised policy management, allowing increased governance and control of their network operations.

4.         Leverage direct Internet connectivity for access to public clouds and SaaS applications to enhance the local user experience.

5.         Simplify network operations and reduce administrative overhead via a single point of contact for broadband aggregation and billing.

6.         Dashboard views using Level 3's 24 x 7 self-service portal, providing greater visibility and control with application monitoring and analytics.

http://news.level3.com/

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CenturyLink appoints Level 3's Jeff Storey as president

CenturyLink, which in October 2016 entered into an agreement to acquire Level 3 Communications for approximately $34 billion, has announced that upon closing of the CenturyLink-Level 3 transaction Jeff Storey, currently president and CEO of Level 3, will become CenturyLink president and chief operating officer.

The company noted that, as previously announced, after the closing of the transaction Glen F. Post III will continue as CEO of CenturyLink. It is expected that Mr. Storey will succeed Glen Post as CEO of CenturyLink effective January 1, 2019, at which time Mr. Post will then become executive chairman of the company's board.

In addition to the appointment of Jeff Storey as COO, Glen Post's direct reports after the closing of the Level 3 acquisition will be as follows: Stacey Goff, EVP, general counsel and chief administrative officer; Sunit Patel, EVP and CFO; and Scott Trezise, EVP, human resources.

CenturyLink also announced that Harvey P. Perry, formerly vice chairman of the board of CenturyLink, has been appointed board chairman, effective immediately, replacing William A. Owens, who retired from the board as of May 24th. In addition, W. Bruce Hanks, a member of the CenturyLink board, has been named vice chairman, also effective immediately. Mr. Storey is one of four Level 3 board members who will join the CenturyLink board at closing of the transaction.

http://news.centurylink.com/news/centurylink-announces-ceo-succession-plan

• In early May CenturyLink named the senior leadership team following the acquisition of Level 3, which includes: Clay Bailey as SVP, transformation; Aamir Hussain as EVP, CTO and network operations; Dean Douglas as EVP, North America enterprise; Maxine Moreau as EVP, consumer; Girish Varma as EVP, IT and managed services; Laurinda Pang as EVP, global accounts management and international; and Gary Gauba as SVP and chief relationship officer.
• The two companies stated that they continue to expect the transaction to close by September 30th this year.

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Level3 Appoints CTO and CIO

Level 3 Communications (NYSE: LVLT) named Andrew Dugan Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Atilla Tinic Chief Information Officer, effective immediately.

As CTO, Dugan will continue to lead Level 3's Global Technology Organization, with a focus on global network technology, architecture, engineering, network systems and security. He has more than 30 years of experience in building telecommunications networks, switching platforms and services platforms. Dugan has bee1111n with Level 3 since 1998 and has served as interim lead for the Global Technology and IT Organization since June 2016.

Tinic has responsibility for the global IT organization and, in collaboration with marketing and network technology, its critical role in innovating services for our customers. He has more than 20 years of experience in IT architecture, system engineering and data management. Tinic joined Level 3 in 2014 as part of the tw telecom acquisition and had been with the company since 2004. His former role was Senior Vice President of IT.

http://www.level3.com

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Level 3 Offers a Cellular Backup Option for Branch Offices

Level 3 Communications introduced a Secure Access Cellular Service that uses both cellular and security technologies to provide a redundant and scalable option for Internet connectivity in the event that the primary fiber connection to a remote or branch location is lost.

Level 3 Secure Access Cellular uses multi-vendor cellular connectivity to provide customers a back-up network connection. If a disruption occurs, the solution is designed to switch from a dedicated Level 3 MPLS/IP Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection to cellular backup connectivity through a LTE network. This cellular backup, the Secure Access Site product tunnel (IPsec), runs over a cellular 3G or 4G network instead of a broadband or DSL connection. Level 3 manages the connection with mainstream cellular providers.

Level 3 Secure Access Cellular is now available in North America and will be available winter 2015 in Europe and spring 2016 in Latin America.

http://news.level3.com/2015-10-20-Level-3-Launches-Carrier-Neutral-Secure-Cellular-Service

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Level 3 Expands its Content Delivery Network

Level 3 Communications announced a substantial expansion to its content delivery network (CDN), increasing its footprint with new points of presence (PoP) in Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

"Level 3 has a strategic focus around growing its content delivery network to address the ever-increasing globalization and mobility of entertainment, news and sports content," said Mark Taylor, vice president of Media and IP Services at Level 3. "This current expansion, along with Level 3's expansion into Latin America in 2012, shows our commitment to providing secure scalable network resources and solutions for customers around the world to grow their businesses and reach audiences worldwide. We will continue to extend our reach as it makes sense for our business and our customers."

Level 3 noted that its CDN revenue grew 37 percent in the third quarter of 2013 compared to the same quarter in 2012.

"The growth we're seeing in just a year's time is astonishing," continued Taylor. "With expansions in EMEA, Asia and LATAM, we are building a network for the future of Internet consumption and the massive adoption of mobile platforms."  21

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Level 3 to Provide North American Gateway for O3b's Satellite Network

Level 3 Communications was selected to provide a North American satellite gateway for O3b Networks, which is launching a global, next-generation satellite network for telecommunications operators, Internet service providers, and enterprise and government customers in emerging markets.

The gateway will allow O3b to link its Gigabit IP network connectivity and bandwidth services to customers located in the U.S., Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico region.

O3b, which is short for "Other Three Billion," will provide broadband connectivity everywhere on Earth within 45 degrees of latitude north and south of the Equator. The company focuses on emerging and insufficiently connected markets in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific.

"Level 3 gives us the infrastructure we need to provide low latency, high-speed IP services to underserved and remote areas," said Chris Schram, EVP Operations for O3b Networks. "With the help of Level 3's secure, reliable transport, O3b is building a global
system that delivers the high quality connectivity enjoyed by major world capitals to the underserved and unconnected."

http://www.level3.com

•  In June, 3b’s first four satellites were successfully launched by an Arianespace Soyuz rocket from the Guiana Space Center. 

O3b is deploying a network of 12 satellites to deliver broadband connectivity to billions of people across emerging markets who have never had access to this level of connectivity before. 

Thales Alenia Space produced the Ka-band relay platform.

A second group of four O3b satellites will be launched in September, completing the first phase in O3b’s constellation and ahead of the launch of the company's service later in the year.

O3b Networks’ investors include SES, Google, Liberty Global, HSBC Principal Investments, Northbridge Venture Partners, Allen & Company, Development Bank of Southern Africa, Sofina, Satya Capital and Luxempart. O3b Networks is headquartered in St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands.

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Level 3 Posts Q4 Revenue Grew 1.8% YoY, Trimmed Workforce

Level 3 Communications Q4 2012 revenue of $1.614 billion, compared to $1.590 billion for the third quarter 2012 and $1.579 billion for the fourth quarter 2011. For the full year 2012, total revenue was $6.376 billion, compared to $6.318 billion pro forma for the full year 2011. There was a Q4 net loss of $0.16 per share, excluding a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $0.23 per share and a benefit from special items recognized in the fourth quarter 2012 of $0.13 per share.

Core Network Services (CNS) revenue grew sequentially to $1.424 billion in the fourth quarter 2012, increasing approximately 1.8 percent on a constant currency basis.

"In 2012, we took a deliberate and careful approach in bringing Global Crossing and Level 3 together to ensure we maintained the excellent customer service capabilities we've worked hard to build over the last several years," said Jeff Storey, President and COO of Level 3. "We completed several milestones in support of a unified customer experience in 2012, and our customer satisfaction scores improved over the course of last year."

"With the progress we made throughout the year and the additional milestones we reached in the fourth quarter, we felt comfortable taking additional cost reduction actions in the fourth quarter, reducing our workforce by approximately 4 percent and beginning the process to exit office locations. At the same time, we made investments for growth by increasing our sales force, putting additional customer buildings on-net throughout our global footprint, and launching additional capabilities to our Managed Services, Managed Security and Professional Services product offerings."

"As we look to 2013, we remain focused on revenue growth in all regions, and continuing to drive additional cost efficiencies throughout the business."

http://www.level3.com

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