Level 3 helps Hughes Cloud Services extend service to clients' desktops

Level 3 Communications (NYSE: LVLT) agreed to work with Hughes Cloud Services to extend service-level agreements (SLAs) into the last mile and all the way to the desktop computer for Hughes' clients, utilizing Level 3's MPLS backbone network, the companies announced Monday.

The improved SLAs will help boost EchoStar (Nasdaq: SATS) subsidiary Hughes' growth in the cloud services segment by making it possible for not only enterprise-class businesses but small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) to get enhanced cloud services at competitive rates.

The SLA extension enables end-to-end support for HCS' customers, the company said in a release. Level 3's enhanced monitoring services allow the provider to monitor the network's status and pinpoint issues between a customer's offices and the HCS cloud.

"Level 3′s hardened, secure IP network delivers the efficiency, security and reliability needed to support customers' requirements and the safekeeping of their sensitive data and applications," said Andrew Crouch, Level 3′s regional president of North America Sales.

Perhaps better known for its satellite services via its Hughes Network Systems division—such as Frontier's (Nasdaq: FTR) distribution of satellite broadband services to its rural customers thanks to an agreement with the provider--Hughes made its move into the cloud services industry segment last September, offering turnkey service for cloud services and hosting solutions.

For more:
- see the release

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