CHTR Charter Communications Inc New

Charter to Accelerate Telephone Deployment Utilizing Level 3's (3)VoIP Enhanced(SM) Local Service BROOMFIELD, Colo., Feb. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) and Level 3 Communications (NASDAQ:LVLT) today announced they have extended their relationship with a new, multi-year agreement under which Level 3 will support Charter's expansion of consumer and small business telephone services. Level 3's (3)VoIP Enhanced Local service will enable Charter to reduce the time-to-market associated with its deployment of high-quality voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) based services. This agreement extends the portfolio of services Level 3 delivers to Charter, which currently includes (3)Voice(R) Termination service, (3)CrossRoads(R) IP services, (3)Link(R) Dark Fiber service and (3)Link Intercity Private Line service. The latest service to be adopted by Charter, (3)VoIP Enhanced Local service, is a telephone solution that will increase the speed and efficiency of Charter's launch of IP-based local and long-distance communications services. (3)VoIP Enhanced Local service provides local phone numbers, local number portability, fixed location E-911 and local trunking. Level 3 is able to offer these services in 4,300 rate centers in part as a result of its competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) status in all 50 states. "By working with Level 3 we can leverage a full suite of local, long distance and E-911 voice services to accelerate our telephone deployment and expand into new markets," said Ted Schremp, senior vice president and general manager of Charter Telephone. "Charter Telephone(TM) customers value the choice, value and quality that our service provides. We're seeing significant consumer demand and are responding by accelerating our deployment. Our relationship with Level 3 provides speed-to-market benefits which will allow us to more quickly capture market share." "The cable segment is an important area of focus for Level 3 and we are excited to extend our relationship with a leading cable operator like Charter," said Myrle McNeal, senior vice president of local voice services for Level 3. "Our nationwide local voice network, extensive voice experience and the scalability and flexibility of our solutions have a proven track record of helping cable operators quickly introduce and immediately differentiate their voice services from traditional phone service." In addition to unlimited local and long distance calls, Charter Telephone customers enjoy caller ID, voicemail, call waiting and call waiting with caller ID, speed dial for eight different numbers, and anonymous call rejection. Customers are able to keep their current telephone number or choose a new one. There is no need to purchase additional equipment when switching to Charter Telephone since the service works over existing telephone lines and is available on any in-home telephone jack. The Charter network also has a backup system in case of a power failure. Customers will also benefit from Charter Telephone's E911 emergency service, which identifies the actual address to emergency operators. As a wholesale provider and enabler of network solutions, the Level 3 network makes it possible for cable companies like Charter to implement quick-to-market solutions, providing a competitive advantage to retain and build their customer base. About Charter Communications, Inc. Charter Communications, Inc., a broadband communications company, provides a full range of advanced broadband services to the home, including cable television on an advanced digital video programming platform via Charter Digital(TM), Charter High-Speed(TM) Internet and Charter Telephone(TM). Charter Business(TM) provides scalable, tailored and cost-effective broadband communications solutions to organizations of all sizes through business to business Internet, data networking, video and music services. Advertising sales and production services are sold under the Charter Media(R) brand. More information about Charter can be found at http://www.charter.com/. About Level 3 Communications Level 3 (NASDAQ:LVLT) is an international communications and information services company. The company operates one of the largest Internet backbones in the world and is a primary provider of Internet connectivity for millions of subscribers through its partners. The company offers a wide range of communications services over its 23,000-mile broadband fiber optic network including Internet Protocol (IP) services, broadband transport and infrastructure services, colocation services, and patented softswitch managed modem and voice services. Level 3 is an industry leader in IP and VoIP services, which it provides to cable operators, ISPs, carriers and others. Level 3's E-911 service offering includes both fixed location and nomadic VoIP E-911 capabilities, supporting an FCC-compliant E-911 solution for interconnected VoIP providers. Its Web address is http://www.level3.com/. The company offers information services through its subsidiary, Software Spectrum, and fiber-optic and satellite video delivery solutions through its subsidiary, Vyvx. For additional information, visit their respective Web sites at http://www.softwarespectrum.com/ and http://www.vyvx.com/. Level3, the Level 3 logo, (3)Voice, (3)CrossRoads, and (3)Link are registered service marks of Level 3 Communications, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Level 3 services are provided by wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc. (3)VoIP Enhanced is a service mark of Level 3 Enhanced Services, LLC in the United States and/or other countries. (3)VoIP services are provided by Level 3 Enhanced Services, LLC. Other trademarks and service marks herein are the property of their respective owners. Forward-Looking Statement Some of the statements made by Level 3 in this press release are forward- looking in nature. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements. Level 3 believes that its primary risk factors include, but are not limited to: developing new products and services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; increasing the volume of traffic on Level 3's network; overcoming the softness in the economy given its disproportionate effect on the telecommunications industry; integrating strategic acquisitions; attracting and retaining qualified management and other personnel; successfully completing commercial testing of new technology and information systems to support new products and services, including voice transmission services; ability to meet all of the terms and conditions of our debt obligations; overcoming Software Spectrum's reliance on financial incentives, volume discounts and marketing funds from software publishers; reducing downward pressure of Software Spectrum's margins as a result of the use of volume licensing and maintenance agreements; and reducing rate of price compression on certain of the Company's existing transport and IP services. 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 release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990721/LVLTLOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Level 3 Communications CONTACT: Media, Cheena Pazzo, +1-918-547-4387, or Investors, Robin Grey, +1-720-888-2518, or Investors, Sandra Curlander, +1-720-888-2501, all of Level 3 Communications; or Media, Anita Lamont, +1-314-543-2215, or Investors, Mary Jo Moehle, +1-314-543-2397, both of Charter Communications Web site: http://www.softwarespectrum.com/ Web site: http://www.vyvx.com/ Web site: http://www.charter.com/ Web site: http://www.level3.com/

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