Level 3 Review. Was level3.com providing Any Good services?

📄 Editorial Review

(3*) 🔧 Services: CDN (Content Delivery Network)Telecom
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Level 3 Communications was an international powerhouse in the telecommunications industry, best known for building and operating one of the world’s largest Internet backbones. Headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, Level 3 played a critical role in the development of the modern Internet, providing infrastructure and services that were essential to enterprises, service providers, governments, and content creators across the globe.

Company Origins and Evolution

Level 3’s roots date back to 1985, when it was founded as Kiewit Diversified Group Inc. (KDG), a subsidiary of the Omaha-based construction giant Peter Kiewit Sons’, Inc. Initially, KDG was created to manage PKS’s non-construction assets. However, by the late 1990s, the leadership at KDG realized that the Internet would become a transformative technology. In 1998, KDG was rebranded as Level 3 Communications and pivoted aggressively into the telecommunications space.
Armed with an unprecedented $14 billion in funding—an amount that earned Level 3 the title of the "best funded startup in history"—the company built a 19,600-mile global fiber-optic network. This network was unique because it was designed from the ground up to optimize Internet Protocol (IP) traffic, setting Level 3 apart from legacy networks that had been adapted from older telecommunications systems.

Building a Global Footprint

Throughout the early 2000s, Level 3 continued to grow, both organically and through strategic acquisitions. The company acquired assets from Genuity in 2003 and later absorbed key players like WilTel, Progress Telecom, TelCove, ICG, Broadwing, and Looking Glass Networks. Each acquisition expanded Level 3’s capabilities in metro fiber networks, long-haul data transport, enterprise services, and content delivery.
In 2011, Level 3 merged with Global Crossing, a move that dramatically increased its international footprint, particularly in Latin America, Europe, and Asia. This merger created one of the largest IP transit providers in the world, combining Global Crossing’s transoceanic network with Level 3’s terrestrial strengths.
By the mid-2010s, Level 3 operated in over 500 markets across more than 60 countries, owning and managing approximately 100,000 route miles of fiber. It had transformed into a full-service communications provider offering IP transit, Ethernet services, CDN solutions, cloud connectivity, VoIP, security services, and more.

Service Offerings

Level 3 Communications offered a broad portfolio of services aimed at enterprises, governments, and other carriers:

• Data and Internet Services: Dedicated Internet access, virtual private networks (VPNs), wavelength services, and private line services.
• Voice Services: Voice over IP (VoIP), enterprise voice, collaboration services, and wholesale voice services for other carriers.
• Video Services: Solutions such as Vyvx for video transmission, global content delivery networks, and media distribution.
• Security Solutions: Including managed firewall services, DDoS mitigation, and secure cloud access.
• Cloud and IT Services: Cloud connect services, hybrid networking solutions, and data center services.
• Managed and Professional Services: Fully managed WAN optimization, router management, Ethernet access management, and consulting services.

Level 3 was particularly known for its Content Delivery Network (CDN), which enabled media companies and businesses to distribute digital content quickly and reliably around the globe. Its Managed Security Services helped protect some of the world’s largest enterprises from emerging cyber threats.

Network Infrastructure and Innovation

Level 3’s fiber-optic network was regarded as one of the most robust and redundant in the world. It was interconnected with hundreds of other providers and connected at major Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) like LINX (London), DE-CIX (Frankfurt), and AMS-IX (Amsterdam).
Key technical advantages included:

• High-capacity fiber backbone: Built for scalability, offering multiple 10 Gbps and later 100 Gbps links.
• IP-optimized architecture: Unlike legacy telecoms, Level 3’s infrastructure was built to handle IP traffic natively.
• Redundancy and Resilience: With multiple routes and failover options, Level 3 could guarantee high levels of uptime and reliability.
• Low Latency Routes: Particularly valuable for financial firms and real-time applications.

Its content delivery infrastructure supported major sporting events, government broadcasts, and corporate video communications. In an era when Internet bandwidth demand exploded, Level 3 was a cornerstone of global data movement.

Market Leadership and Recognition

Level 3 was one of only a handful of Tier 1 ISPs globally, meaning it could reach any other network on the Internet without paying for IP transit. This status afforded it significant influence in peering and transit negotiations, reinforcing its position as a backbone provider for smaller ISPs, cloud companies, and enterprises alike.
Throughout its history, Level 3 earned widespread recognition for:

• Expanding global connectivity
• Driving down IP transit prices
• Innovating in managed services and cloud networking
• Supporting video streaming and media delivery at global scale

The company’s combination of technical excellence, global scale, and deep partnerships made it the go-to provider for businesses needing reliable and expansive connectivity.

Acquisition by CenturyLink (Now Lumen Technologies)

On October 31, 2016, Level 3 Communications was officially acquired by CenturyLink (now Lumen Technologies) for approximately $34 billion. The acquisition created one of the largest enterprise networking companies in the world, with a massive fiber footprint and broad service capabilities.
The merger enabled the combined company to offer:

• Deeper metropolitan fiber access
• Broader international reach
• More competitive cloud and hybrid networking solutions
• Enhanced security and managed service offerings

Today, the legacy of Level 3 Communications lives on as a vital part of Lumen’s global infrastructure and service portfolio.

🎯 Conclusion

Level 3 Communications was a true pioneer in global telecommunications and Internet infrastructure. From its bold beginnings as a well-funded startup to becoming one of the world's leading Tier 1 Internet providers, Level 3 consistently pushed the boundaries of connectivity, scale, and innovation. Its network helped shape the modern Internet, and its impact is still felt across countless industries and continents today.
Whether viewed through the lens of its cutting-edge fiber network, its sophisticated managed services, or its role in global business communications, Level 3 Communications left an indelible mark on the digital world.

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