BRUSSELS -- Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: LVLT - news) today announced it has signed a one-year agreement to provide up to one-gigabit of Internet access service to BELNET, the Belgian national research network for education, research and public services. As a non-commercial government service, BELNET is one of the largest and longest-established Internet service providers in Belgium providing IP and network services to educational institutions and ministries. Under the agreement, BELNET will use Level 3's (3)CrossRoads service and metropolitan (3)Link Dark Fibre in Brussels. (3)CrossRoads is a wholesale Internet access service that connects Level 3's customers and network with the public Internet and other private networks. "Our first working experience with Level 3 dates from 2000 when we selected Level 3's Belgian colocation center that enables Internet service providers to connect to our BNIX-infrastructure (the Belgian public peering point for ISPs)," said Pierre Bruyere, chief executive officer of BELNET. "Given the quality of their network and the strong presence of the company in both the U.S. and Europe, Level 3 is the best partner to provide this new level of Internet connectivity as well. Another important factor for us is that Level 3 is a financially sound, stable company, which is an important consideration in the current telecoms climate." Level 3 Communications Inc.