NEC Signs With Level 3

IRVING, Texas -- NEC Unified Solutions, Inc. (NEC), a leader in integrated communications solutions for the enterprise, today announced that it has signed an agreement with Level 3 Communications, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT). Under this agreement, NEC will become a preferred provider of CPE (customer premise equipment) fulfillment services to Level(3)Enabled Partners in North America who are reselling the company's (3)ToneSM Business VoIP service.

This agreement enables (3)ToneSM Business resellers who require CPE and CPE fulfillment services to access NEC’s portfolio of award-winning enterprise IP communications products and professional services -- such as site surveys, IP assessments, implementation and installation, and monitoring and management -- at very competitive prices. In turn, end-users will benefit from immediate communications cost savings, access to enhanced VoIP features, and customized service and support.

The agreement effectively combines the complementary expertise of two market leaders committed to delivering unparalleled, cost-effective VoIP services. With years of proven experience in VoIP, Level 3 operates a world-class IP network that is among the world’s largest MPLS backbones for voice and data. NEC is an experienced provider of traditional converged and pure-IP enterprise communications platforms, professional and managed services, and its market position in IP telephony solutions and services continues to grow.

In June, Eastern Management Group’s Monitor report showed VoIP lines shipped by NEC increased 83 percent over the prior period. Organizations from healthcare to higher education, as well as other vertical markets, continue to achieve significant benefits through the implementation of NEC’s IP solutions.

“NEC Unified Solutions has a distinguished history of providing innovative communications solutions to businesses,” said Andrew Crouch, senior vice president of Channel-Ready Services for Level 3. “Level 3 and NEC will collaborate closely to provide enterprise customers and Level 3 resellers with unmatched VoIP solutions, provisioning and support.”

“Level 3 and NEC joined forces to provide an alternative to end-user customers looking for a less complex and more cost-effective choice in hosted IP solutions,” said Charlie Langdon, senior vice president of sales for NEC Unified Solutions. “The VoIP services business is a multi-billion dollar market; Level 3 and NEC are poised to lead the industry with this revolutionary distribution model, which enables resellers to strengthen their position in the IP market and differentiate themselves from their competition.”

NEC Unified Solutions Inc.

Level 3 Communications Inc.