Level 3, ALA sign agreement to provide DIA, voice services to improve lung health awareness

Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) today announced that it has signed an agreement with the American Lung Association of the Midland States, a non-profit healthcare organization serving Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee, to provide dedicated Internet access (DIA) and voice services in support of its mission to improve lung health awareness.

Competing within a heavily saturated market of public-interest messages and depending greatly on donations and grant support, today's non-profit organizations require network solutions that enable them to reach a broad audience with their core message, while keeping communications costs down. Level 3's agreement with the American Lung Association of the Midland States is a continuation of its service relationship with the nonprofit, and the association will use Level 3's DIA and voice services to economically improve the efficiency of its daily operations.

"The nation's health is deeply dependent upon our air quality, with poor air quality being responsible for some of the most serious lung-related illnesses such as influenza, asthma, emphysema and lung cancer," said Barry Gottschalk, president and CEO of the American Lung Association of the Midland States. "Our mission is to save lives by spreading awareness about the importance of clean air and improving lung health. Level 3's tier-one network and services help us manage operating expenses, increase internal efficiency and reach a broad audience with this message."

Level 3's DIA services will provide American Lung employees with efficient online access and enable interested parties to view critical information about the association via the organization's website. Level 3's voice services will enable employees to connect internally and manage external inquiries regarding lung health and air quality.

"Level 3 offers a comprehensive portfolio of service solutions targeted at better enabling enterprises to achieve their critical business objectives," said Andrew Crouch, president of Sales for Level 3. "We are proud that our Internet and voice services are able to assist the American Lung Association of the Midland States in their ongoing mission to improve the quality of the air we breathe and the lives we live."

Level 3 leverages its extensive fiber-optic network, metro assets and a locally focused sales and sales support organization to deliver world-class voice, video and data solutions to enterprise customers and service providers throughout the United States.