Lacoste Signs Agreement with Lacoste Affiliate in Brazil

Level 3 Communications, Inc.

today announced that it has signed an agreement with Lacoste's affiliate, Devanlay Ventures do Brasil Ltda., which manufactures and sells Lacoste products, such as clothing and accessories, in Brazil. Through the agreement, Level 3's virtual hosting, data storage and backup services will support Lacoste's organizational operations throughout Brazil. The company will also use Level 3's global MPLS (multiprotocol label switching) network, which includes voice, data and DIA (dedicated Internet access), between the company's headquarters in São Paulo and a network of 100 franchised stores. Through Level 3's virtual hosting services, Lacoste store employees will be able to manage sales and other company processes, such as product changes, consistently across all locations throughout the country. The company's data will also be hosted by Level 3's Latin American data center-based servers, accessible at any time by the company's financial team in its regional headquarters. "Providing our customers with flexible and efficient service is key to our business success, and we rely on Level 3's services to help ensure