Highwinds Picks Level 3

WINTER PARK, Fla. -- Highwinds Network Group, Inc., a global provider of content distribution solutions, today announced that it has selected Level 3 Communications' Content Markets Group to provide the underlying network backbone services that power the company'sRollingThunder(TM) network. Under the terms of the agreement, Level 3 has provided Level 3(R) High Speed Internet Access and Wavelengths via Multiple 10 Gbps ports to link Highwinds' data centers in ten cities throughout the United States and in Europe. This business relationship also enables Highwinds to expand its network capabilities and market reach by tapping into Level 3's internationally deployed network for global content distribution.

"We are pleased to provide Highwinds with leading-edge bandwidth capabilities, backbone services and global reach to support their service,"said Grant van Rooyen, senior vice president of Level 3's Content Markets Group. "The Level 3 network was built to support high-performance network solutions like RollingThunder."

Highwinds' RollingThunder network is capable of distributing Internet- based content to users throughout the world. The company operates strategically placed data centers, which house server and storage technology used to manage content, in Amsterdam, Ashburn, Va., Atlanta, Chicago, Frankfurt, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Phoenix. Currently, 12 data centers in 10 cities are connected through 10 Gbps wavelengths provided by Level 3.

Highwinds is also leveraging the extensive points of presence and high- speed power of Level 3's network to provide its customers quick and economical delivery of all types of content and rich media. Level 3 operates a vast intercity network infrastructure as well as metropolitan networks in 125 cities. The metro networks connect Level 3 data centers to key traffic aggregation points in each market, totaling approximately 7,000 traffic aggregation points and buildings in North America and Europe. The ability of Highwinds' RollingThunder network to tap into Level 3's network provides Highwinds with additional route diversity and helps them ensure that all types of content -- including large file downloads and streaming media -- are delivered through the most efficient means.

"The 10 Gbps connections linking our data centers are a vital component of our RollingThunder network, as they enable us to transmit customer content quickly and economically," said Steve Miller, president of Highwinds."Furthermore, to expand our reach and content delivery capabilities beyond our own network infrastructure, we are tapping into Level 3's substantial network footprint. We are pleased to be working with Level 3, a forward-thinking company that is continually setting the pace in the industry for network innovation, adaptability and cost-effectiveness. And we are excited to be able to pass these resources along to our customers."

Level 3 Communications Inc. (NYSE: LVLT)