LONDON -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: LVLT) today announced it has expanded its European network to Vienna, Austria. The Level 3 network now serves 20 of Western Europe's largest markets.

In addition, Level 3 is doubling IP capacity on one of the two network rings it operates in Germany. The ring, connecting Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Karlsruhe, Frankfurt and Leipzig, will have an expanded capacity of 10 gigabits per second.

"These moves are the latest in a series of steps we've taken to augment our European network in response to customer demand," said Brady Rafuse, president of Level 3's European operations.

"Over the past two years, we have more than doubled the number of markets we serve in Europe. Doing so, we believe, has significantly increased our addressable customer base and enhanced the scope and quality of our product offerings. We look forward to having an expanded presence on the continent, and continuing to provide network services of the highest quality to our wholesale customers."

Level 3's latest European expansion follows recent announcements by the company that it was extending its network into Leipzig and Copenhagen and increasing network capacity into Stockholm. Level 3 accomplished the Vienna expansion with wavelengths leased from another carrier.

Level 3's fibre optic network spans 22,500 miles and serves 20 of the largest markets in Europe, as well as 68 markets across North America. In addition, the company operates metropolitan networks in 36 cities, including London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt. Level 3 also has network capacity on high-speed transatlantic cable systems.

Level 3 Communications Inc.