BROOMFIELD - Level 3 Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:LVLT) reported on Wednesday a net loss of $170 million, or 10 cents per share, for its third quarter 2009.

The loss is an increase compared with a net loss for the second quarter 2009 of $134 million, or 8 cents per share. Level 3 had a net loss of $129 million, or 8 cents per share, for the third quarter 2008.

Consolidated revenue was $916 million for the third quarter 2009, compared to consolidated revenue of $1.07 billion for the third quarter 2008 and $942 million for the second quarter 2009.

"While we remain cautious. We saw positive signs in the business this quarter as evidenced by the improvement this quarter in the rate of decline in Core Network Services revenue," said James Crowe, chief executive of Broomfield-based Level 3, in a statement. "Our ongoing discipline in managing the business continues to provide benefit and enabled us to generate positive free cash flow during the quarter."