Level 3 to provide Internet backbone services to Hughes Network Systems

Fiber Optics Weekly Update, Sept 12, 2003

Level 3 Communications announced it has signed a customer agreement with Hughes Network Systems (HNS) to provide interconnect services to the public Internet for SPACEWAY, its next generation satellite platform, launching service in 2004. Under the terms of the contract, HNS is purchasing (3)CrossRoads Internet access and (3)Center Colocation services from Level 3 in the U.S. The services include connectivity directly to the public Internet for SPACEWAY managed traffic and access to a high-speed terrestrial backbone for operational related information.

In addition, HNS plans to colocate several antennas directly on Level 3's backbone, thereby eliminating costly local loop infrastructure and optimizing the performance of its service. Level 3 operates a 10-gigabit IP backbone that spans 62 U.S. markets and 16 European markets, and is accessible from more than 550 traffic aggregation points. High capacity, scalable peering interconnections, and ongoing upgradeability help to ensure that the Level 3 network maintains uncongested connectivity to the world's largest Internet networks.