Level 3 Communications: What It Is and How It Relates to VoIP
If you have checked a phone number and seen Level 3 Communications listed as the carrier, you may wonder what it means.
Level 3 Communications was a major telecommunications company that provided communications services to businesses, government organizations, and other carriers.
Today, Level 3 is no longer an independent company. evel 3 Communications officially became part of CenturyLink on November 1, 2017, following the completion of the acquisition. In 2020, CenturyLink introduced a new corporate identity and rebranded itself as Lumen Technologies.
But the Level 3 name can still appear in telecom and phone-number information. Here is what you need to know.
What Is Level 3 Communications?
Level 3 Communications was a telecom company that owned and maintained a large communications network, offering internet, voice, and data solutions to customers worldwide.
The company served enterprise, government, and carrier customers. Its services included fiber and infrastructure solutions, IP-based voice and data communications, wide-area Ethernet, video and content distribution, and data center and cloud solutions.
Voice communication was an important part of its business.
Level 3 provided IP-based voice services and network connectivity that could be used to carry voice traffic. Its network services were also relevant to businesses and other communications providers that needed large-scale connectivity.
This is where Level 3 connects with the VoIP industry.
VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, sends voice communications over IP networks instead of relying only on traditional telephone connections. Level 3 operated network infrastructure and provided IP-based voice services that supported this type of communication.
Today, Lumen’s wholesale business continues to offer carrier-grade voice services, including local inbound, toll-free, voice termination, and VoIP enhanced local services.
What Is a Level 3 Communications Phone Number?
A Level 3 Communications phone number generally refers to a phone number associated with Level 3 as the underlying telecommunications carrier.
When a carrier lookup shows Level 3 Communications, it does not necessarily mean that the person or business using the number is Level 3.
A phone number can be used by a business, calling platform, or other service while the underlying carrier handles the network connection.
Level 3 has been associated with phone numbers and VoIP infrastructure used by businesses and calling platforms. Carrier lookup services can identify Level 3 as the carrier and may also show information such as the line type.
This is why you may see Level 3 Communications when checking a number online.
How Are Level 3 Numbers Related to VoIP?
Level 3’s network and voice services have been used in telecommunications and VoIP environments.
A VoIP call can pass through different networks and carriers before reaching its destination. A carrier such as Level 3 can be part of that network path.
For businesses, this type of carrier infrastructure can support services such as voice termination, inbound calling, toll-free services, and other communications solutions. Lumen currently lists these services under its wholesale voice offerings.
Why Does Level 3 Communications Appear on Caller ID?
Seeing Level 3 Communications on caller ID can be confusing.
In some cases, Level 3 is shown because it is associated with the telephone number or the network handling the call.
However, seeing Level 3 on caller ID does not by itself tell you who is calling.
The carrier may be different from the company or person actually using the number.
Does Level 3 on Caller ID Mean the Call Is a Scam?
Not necessarily.
A Level 3 carrier listing does not automatically mean that a call is legitimate either. Carrier information tells you about the telecommunications network or carrier associated with a number. It does not prove the identity of the caller.
If you receive an unexpected call, check the number through a reputable lookup service and verify the caller independently before sharing personal or financial information.
Is Level 3 Communications the Same as Lumen?
Level 3 Communications and Lumen are connected, but they are not simply two names for the same company at the same time.
CenturyLink acquired Level 3 Communications in 2017. The acquisition was completed on November 1, 2017. The combined company operated as CenturyLink after the acquisition.
Then, in September 2020, CenturyLink announced that it was rebranding as Lumen Technologies.
So the basic timeline is:
Level 3 Communications → acquired by CenturyLink in 2017 → CenturyLink rebranded as Lumen in 2020
This is why you may still find the Level 3 name in older telecom records, phone-number information, and other industry documentation.
Lumen also continues to provide wholesale voice services, including voice termination, toll-free services, and VoIP-related services.
Level 3 Communications vs. a Regular VoIP Provider
Level 3 was different from the typical VoIP provider that sells a phone system directly to a small business.
The main difference is the role they play in the telecommunications system.
| Level 3 Communications | Regular VoIP Provider |
| Telecommunications carrier | Customer-facing VoIP service |
| Network and infrastructure services | Business phone system |
| Wholesale communications services | Calling plans and features |
| Voice and data connectivity | Apps, phones, and user accounts |
| Services for carriers and larger organizations | Usually focused on end users and businesses |
FAQs – Level 3 Communications
Q1. What happened to Level 3 Communications?
The companies became part of the combined CenturyLink business. CenturyLink later rebranded as Lumen Technologies in 2020.
Q2. Who uses Level 3 Communications?
Level 3 provided communications services to enterprise, government, and carrier customers. Level 3 Communications offered an extensive range of networking services, such as IP communications, fiber infrastructure, Ethernet connectivity, and other high-performance network solutions.
Q3. Did Lumen acquire Level 3 Communications?
No. CenturyLink acquired Level 3 Communications in 2017. CenturyLink later changed its brand name to Lumen Technologies in 2020. So Lumen is the company name that came after the CenturyLink period following the Level 3 acquisition.
Q4. What is a Level 3 Communications VoIP number?
It is generally a phone number associated with Level 3 as the underlying telecommunications carrier. Level 3 provided IP-based voice communications and network services, and carrier lookup services can identify Level 3 as the carrier for certain numbers.
Final Words – Level 3 Communications
Level 3 Communications was a major telecommunications carrier that provided network, voice, and data services to businesses, government organizations, and other carriers. Its IP-based voice services also made it relevant to the VoIP industry.
The company was acquired by CenturyLink in 2017, and CenturyLink later became Lumen Technologies in 2020.
So if you see Level 3 Communications when checking a phone number, it usually relates to the carrier or network associated with that number. It does not automatically identify the person or business making the call.
Understanding the difference between the carrier, VoIP provider, and actual caller can make phone-number information much easier to understand.
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