Level 3 Touts Internet Video Delivery

Level 3 Communications, Inc. said that it streamed many of this summer's popular live events, such as the Tour de France and the Michael Jackson Memorial service, in quality rivaling that of HD television.

In partnership with some of Europe's largest broadcasters, including France Televisions, Italy's RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana and BSkyB, Level 3 said it made it possible for some of the world's most watched sporting events to be viewed live via the Internet for the first time.

Among the highlights:

May

- Roland Garros (French Open) tennis tournament, in partnership with France Televisions, Inlet Technologies and Microsoft, was the world's first public broadcast using Microsoft's IIS7 Live Smooth Streaming technology.

June

- Italian Football during the FIFA Confederation Cup for RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana, Italy's national broadcaster, again using Live Smooth Streaming.

July

- Tour de France, delivered for France Televisions.

- Michael Jackson Memorial service, incorporating Microsoft's IIS7 Smooth Streaming, for Sky News.

- 13th FINA World Championship Swimming in Rome for both RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana and France Televisions.

Aug.

- Announced a multiyear relationship with Schibsted ASA, one of Scandinavia's largest media groups. Level 3 has been delivering live streaming of Norwegian Football League games since March.

- 12th IAAF World Athletics (Track & Field) Championships in Berlin delivered for France Televisions and RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana

- Broadcast of the UEFA Super cup live and online for Canal+ incorporating Microsoft's IIS7 Live Smooth Streaming

"It is important we offer our viewers and users the best possible experience, through whatever medium they choose," said Steve Bennedik, head of technology for Sky News. "The solution that Level 3 delivered to us for the Michael Jackson Memorial event, incorporating Microsoft's IIS7 Smooth Streaming, is another great step forward."

"We continue to see strong customer demand in our content services business and we have certainly had a busy summer for delivering live events online, both in Europe and North America," said James Heard, president of Level 3's European Markets Group. "We are delighted to support so many broadcasters, enabling the high quality delivery of these important events to their customers. Level 3's unique expertise in this area delivers growing value to the online broadcast of rich video content."

Level 3 Communications, Inc. is an international provider of fiber-based communications services.

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