News for and about the Internet2 community

[Greg Wood <>]

Internet2 IDEA Awards to Recognize Revolutionary Uses of Advanced  
Networking

Level 3 Communications Sponsors New Award Category Recognizing
Cutting-Edge Optical Networking Applications

ANN ARBOR, Mich. and BROOMFIELD, Colo., October 25, 2007--Internet2  
and Level 3 Communications, Inc.(NASDAQ: LVLT) today announced a new  
category for the Internet2 Driving Exemplary Applications (IDEA)  
Awards program. The new "Wave of the Future" category was unveiled  
earlier this month at Internet2's fall member meeting to recognize  
innovators who are developing and deploying advanced applications  
that specifically require or make use of a dedicated optical circuit  
with capacities up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps).

Open to existing or proposed applications, the Internet2 IDEA awards  
are designed to showcase projects that apply the latest in advanced  
networking capabilities to enable transformational progress in  
research, to enhance teaching and learning, and to potentially  
increase the impact of next-generation networks around the world.

Through sponsorship provided by Level 3, the winning submission in  
the "Wave of the Future" category will receive a dedicated, point-to- 
point optical circuit of up to 10 Gbps on the new Internet2 network  
infrastructure between two connector sites for a one year period. The  
circuit will be provided specifically to support and enable the award- 
winning project.

"As new technologies spawn innovation, the new capabilities of the  
Internet2 network infrastructure will open the door to new ways of  
thinking about advanced applications," said Ray Ford, chief  
information and technology officer at the University of Montana and  
new chair of the Internet2 Applications, Middleware & Services  
Advisory Council (AMSAC). "The new IDEA award category recognizes  
those in our community whose imaginations allow them to embrace  
something never-before tried, and turn it into the next thing our  
community can't imagine living without."

"Level 3 is pleased to be an integral part of the dramatic advances  
in networking that the Internet2 community is making," said Jack  
Waters, chief technology officer of Level 3. "We are proud to help  
enable the process of innovation, and we believe the 'Wave of the  
Future' award will serve as a springboard for the winning  
organizations to make additional important strides
in technology."

Internet2 IDEA Award submissions are judged by a panel of leaders  
from the Internet2 community on the following criteria:

* Magnitude of the positive impact of the application for its current  
users
* Technical merit of the application
* Breadth of impact, as indicated by current user base, and  
likelihood of broader adoption by its full natural community of  
potential users

Additionally, submissions must have had a positive impact in one or  
more of the following areas:

* Innovation in Research
* Advances in Teaching & Learning
* Scientific Discovery
* Global Collaboration

Entries may be submitted by an individual affiliated with any  
Internet2 non-profit member, a Sponsored Educational Group  
Participant, or a Sponsored non-profit Participant. Additional  
submission details will be available during November 2007.  Winners  
will be recognized at the Spring 2008 Internet2 Member Meeting. More  
information about the Internet2 IDEA Awards is available at:
http://www.internet2.edu/idea/

About Internet2(R)
Internet2 is the foremost U.S. advanced networking consortium. Led by  
the research and education community since 1996, Internet2 promotes  
the missions of its members by providing both leading-edge network  
capabilities and unique partnership opportunities that together  
facilitate the development, deployment and use of revolutionary  
Internet technologies. Internet2 brings the U.S. research and  
academic community together with technology leaders from industry,  
government and the international community to undertake collaborative  
efforts that have a fundamental impact on tomorrow's Internet. For  
more information:
http://www.internet2.edu/

About Level 3 Communications
Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT), an international  
communications company, operates one of the largest Internet  
backbones in the world, connecting 180 markets in 18 countries. The  
company serves a broad range of wholesale, enterprise and content  
customers with a comprehensive suite of services including: Internet  
Protocol (IP) services, broadband transport and
infrastructure services, colocation services, voice and voice over IP  
services, and content delivery and media distribution services. These  
services provide the building blocks to enable Level 3's customers to  
meet their growing demands for advanced communications solutions. The  
company's Web address is www.Level3.com.

Level 3 media contact
Jennifer Daumler
720-888-3356

Internet2 media contact
Lauren Rotman