Level 3 to buy Sprint's dial-up business

Level 3 Communications has agreed to buy Sprint's dial-up Internet access business for $34 million in cash, Level 3 said on Friday. The network operator, which provides dial-up access to ISPs across the United States, plans to add Sprint's business to its national coverage.

Once the deal is completed, Level 3 will provide Sprint with wholesale dial-up Internet services, the Broomfield, Colc.-based company said. In May, Level 3 paid $35 million for ICG Communications' dial-up Internet access business, which provides service to America Online, EarthLink, Microsoft's MSN, United Online and other major ISPs.