Level 3 Communication has been awarded a contract to provide networking enhancement and transparency for aerospace activity. According to a recent report, the contract will “enhance airspace transparency between NATO and Russia, using an IP Virtual Private Network (VPN)” for the “NATO-Russia Council (NRC) [to identify] any suspicious aircraft activities and [provide] early warnings through the monitoring of NATO-Russian airspace.”
The contract will also mandate Level 3 to establish operations at several NATO monitoring facilities which will allow the NRC to view airspace activity in real time.
The Broomfield, Colorado-based Level 3 Communication (not to be confused with L-3 Communications (News - Alert)) manages a vast network that spans three continents: The United States, Western Europe, and strategic cities throughout Asia.
By utilizing trans-Atlantic cables (Yellow/AC-2), it is able to deliver Netflix video and Apple’s (News - Alert) music content throughout the globe.
Despite its global presence, financial reports note that, “In the second quarter of 2011, Level 3's shares increased by 34 [percent] and its revenue was up by 2.6 [percent] to $932 million, [although] with Level 3's debt rising to $7.78 billion, its shares decreased by more than 50 [percent] in the third and fourth quarters of 2011, from $36.60 to $16.99.”
Nevertheless, the new contract with the NRC will undoubtedly help the company increase share value.
A report went on to state, “Level 3 network will support the improvement of air safety for the thousands of passengers using international flights between NATO and Russian airspace each day.”
Beyond this, Level 3 has secured a rather challenging contract. Indeed, its contract with the NRC means that will be the main private actor between two state organizations (NATO being a public cooperative between several state governments). Operations involving NATO leaders and Russian officials may open new opportunities for the company throughout Eurasia, especially in industries or areas outside of aerospace and flight traffic monitoring.
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Edited by Braden Becker