BROOMFIELD - Level 3 Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) is applying for stimulus money to add infrastructure to its amplifier stations that will help provide broadband services to rural areas.

Though she wouldn't say exactly how much money for which Broomfield-based Level 3 is applying, Monisha Merchant, the company's product management director, said it's less than $50 million.

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, broadband companies can apply for money to help connect rural parts of the country. The company has to match the awarded amount.

Merchant said Level 3 has amplifier stations in areas such as Manchester, Tenn. and Elmdale, Kan. that increase the broadband signal. If the company receives stimulus money, it will add infrastructure to those stations allowing end-use providers to connect to Level 3's network there instead of laying fiber-optic networks to a major city.

"Their overall transport costs are reduced," Merchant said. Those cost-savings can then be passed to the customer, she said.