Level 3 Communications and Global Crossing Limited have signed a definitive agreement under which Level 3 will acquire Global Crossing in a tax-free, stock-for-stock transaction. The combined company will operate a global services platform anchored by fiber optic networks on three continents, connected by extensive undersea facilities. The combined network will serve a worldwide customer set with owned network in more than 50 countries and connections to more than 70 countries.

Based on Level 3’s closing stock price on April 8, the transaction is valued at $23.04 per Global Crossing common or preferred share, or approximately $3.0 billion, including the assumption of approximately $1.1 billion of net debt as of Dec. 31, 2010.

The combined company will offer an expanded geographic reach and a combination of intercity networks and metro networks throughout North America, Latin America and Europe connected by extensive global subsea networks. The combined business will leverage Global Crossing’s long-term IRU’s on the PC1 and EAC cable systems, focusing on telecom operators based in Asia.

The combined business will offer an extensive portfolio of transport, IP and data solutions, content delivery, data center, colocation and voice services, delivered globally. Global Crossing will bring additions to Level 3’s service portfolio, including managed services, collaboration services and inter-continental virtual private networking capability. The combined service portfolio and distribution channels will allow Level 3 to better address the needs of enterprises, content providers, carriers and governments throughout North America, Latin America and Europe.

In addition to customary closing conditions, the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals relating to competition law, licensing, financing, and foreign ownership, including approvals by the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and other regulatory agencies in the U.S. and in countries where the companies do business. The transaction is also subject to the approval of the stockholders of each company. The transaction is expected to close before the end of 2011.

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