BROOMFIELD, Colo., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: LVLT) today announced that it has been selected to provide caching and downloading services to Pando Networks, a pioneer of content delivery cloud services. Pando will use Level 3's content delivery network (CDN) to support the delivery of rich media content for commercial customers.

"Level 3's CDN technology enables us to expand our content delivery cloud service with greater reliability and quality than standalone P2P technology," said Robert Levitan, chief executive officer of Pando Networks. "This expansion builds out our technology platform to provide customers with a more powerful and cost effective solution to deliver online content."

Level 3's caching and downloading services will enhance Pando's content delivery cloud platform and enable users to download and stream large media files, including full-screen high-definition (HD) video. These capabilities strengthen Pando's ability to provide accelerated delivery speeds and maintain the highest quality video, resulting in a better online viewing experience.

"Level 3 is pleased to deliver caching and downloading to support Pando's content delivery cloud services," said Grant van Rooyen, president of Level 3's Content Markets Group. "The emergence of CDN assist technology reinforces the underlying need for the power and performance of our CDN services to support large-scale commercial distribution of online content."

Under the terms of the agreement, Level 3 will support Pando's delivery of HD online video for NBC Direct. Currently in beta release, NBC Direct allows users free access to download high-resolution episodes of select NBC shows.

About Level 3 Communications

Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) is a leading international provider of fiber-based communications services. Enterprise, content, wholesale and government customers rely on Level 3 to deliver services with an industry-leading combination of scalability and value over an end-to-end fiber network. Level 3 offers a portfolio of metro and long-haul services, including transport, data, Internet, content delivery and voice. For more information, visit http://www.Level3.com.

Level 3 Communications, Level 3, the red 3D brackets and the Level 3 Communications logo are registered service marks of Level 3 Communications, LLC and/or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. Level 3 services are provided by wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc. Any other service, product or company names recited herein are trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statement

Some of the statements made in this press release are forward looking in nature. These statements 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. The most important factors that could prevent Level 3 from achieving its stated goals include, but are not limited to the company's ability to: successfully integrate acquisitions; increase the volume of traffic on the network; defend intellectual property and proprietary rights; develop new products and services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; successfully complete commercial testing of new technology and information systems to support new products and services; attract and retain qualified management and other personnel; and meet all of the terms and conditions of 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.

SOURCE Level 3 Communications, Inc.