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View Full Version : Level 3 Completes WilTel Acquisition



Apolo
01-11-2006, 04:43 PM
Level 3 Pays Total Consideration of 115 Million Shares of Level 3 Common Stock and $386 Million in Cash

BROOMFIELD, Colo., December 23, 2005 — Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) today announced that it has completed its acquisition of WilTel Communications Group, LLC. As consideration, Level 3 has paid Leucadia National Corporation (NYSE: LUK) 115 million shares of Level 3 common stock and $386 million in cash.

Pursuant to the purchase agreement signed by Level 3 and Leucadia on October 30, 2005, Level 3’s cash consideration at closing was increased from the previously announced amount of $370 million, to reflect an improvement in WilTel’s working capital and is subject to adjustment based on the subsequent calculation of actual closing date working capital. Level 3 paid an additional $100 million in consideration for $100 million in cash held by WilTel at the time of closing.

“There is a unique and compelling fit between WilTel and Level 3,” said James Q. Crowe, chief executive officer of Level 3. “Because of this and hard work by all involved, we have been able to close this transaction ahead of schedule. Through this process, we have continued our analysis of the WilTel business and are confident in the overall financial projections we provided at the time we announced the definitive agreement. We have also continued our integration planning and we are extremely pleased with the progress we have made leading up to today’s announcement.”

From: Level(3) Press Room (http://www.level3.com/press/6650.html)