Level 3 Layoffs

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Tom Keating
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Level 3 Layoffs

Several sources over the past few days have been telling me rumors of Level 3 performing layoffs. I didn't want to speculate on my blog, but it looks like the rumors I heard are true.

Layoffs are never a good thing. Level 3's backbone is used by several VoIP players, so what does this mean for the VoIP industry?

Are they setting themselves for a merger or buyout? And if a "big boy carrier" comes to save the day and buys out Level 3, what does that mean for all of Level 3's customers?

Let's put this in perspective. Already the cable companies are stealing voice customers away from the carriers, so suppose for a minute that a carrier, AT&T buys Level3. Comcast and several other cable companies use Level 3's backbone. Do you think AT&T will give Comcast and other cable companies great pricing per minute to their arch rivals?

Will this mean a price hike by all the VoIP termination providers due to less competition?

This is very interesting news indeed.

See the Level 3 news here:
Level 3 Announces Work Force Reduction

Level 3 Communications, Inc. announced today that its operating subsidiaries will initiate a work force reduction of approximately 500 to 600 employees. The reduction, which is expected to result in operational savings of approximately $60 million to $70 million per year, will take place before the end of January 2005.

"We remain pleased with the volume of sales we've seen in recent quarters related to IP, transport, voice and other strategic services, and we continue to invest in areas where we see growing opportunities," said James Q. Crowe, Level 3's chief executive officer. "We expect to meet or exceed our previously issued guidance for communications revenue for the fourth quarter of 2004, and we are focused on converting new sales to revenue and on maximizing our ability to scale in response to market demand.

"In particular, contract activity for consumer-oriented Voice-over-IP services has been strong. However, as previously discussed, it is difficult to predict revenue growth in that area with certainty because it depends on sales to end users by our service provider customers.

"As such, we need to ensure our financial and organizational resources are properly allocated and aligned to take advantage of demand as it develops in consumer-oriented voice and other growth areas. In addition, we are committed to accelerating Level 3's achievement of positive free cash flow. We believe this action is appropriate in view of these important objectives."

Level 3 will provide additional information on its fourth quarter earnings conference call. As a result of the planned reduction, Level 3 expects to incur severance charges of approximately $20 million to $25 million in the fourth quarter of 2004 or the first quarter of 2005.
Level 3's fourth-quarter earnings call will take place on Tuesday, February 8, 2005, at 10 a.m. Eastern time. The call will be broadcast live on Level 3's website at http://www.level3.com/. Those unable to join the call via the web can access the call at 651-291-0900 and can also email questions to [email protected]

The call will be archived and available on the Level 3 website at www.Level3.com; an audio replay will also be available until 11:59 PM Eastern time on February 10, 2005, by dialing 320-365-3844 access code 765003. For additional information please call 720-888-2502.
About Level 3 Communications

Level 3 is an international communications and information services company. The company operates one of the largest Internet backbones in the world, is one of the largest providers of wholesale dial-up service to ISPs in North America and is the primary provider of Internet connectivity for millions of broadband subscribers. 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. Its Web address is http://www.level3.com/.

The company offers information services through its subsidiaries, Software Spectrum and (i)Structure. For additional information, visit their respective Web sites at http://www.softwarespectrum.com/ and http://www.i-structure.com/.

The Level 3 logo is a registered service mark of Level 3 Communications, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Level 3 services are offered by wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc.

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: changes in the overall economy relating to, among other things, the September 11 attacks and subsequent events, substantial capital requirements; development of effective internal processes and systems; the ability to attract and retain high quality employees; technology; the number and size of competitors in its markets; law and regulatory policy; and the mix of products and services offered in the company's target markets. 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.



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