MCI WORLDCOM RESPONDS TO FCC DECISION ON BELL ATLANTIC LONG
DISTANCE APPLICATION
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December 22, 1999, Background: The FCC today granted Bell
Atlantic's application to provide long distance service in the state of
New York.
The following statement should be attributed to Michael H. Salsbury,
MCI WorldCom General Counsel:
"MCI WorldCom looks forward to competing against Bell Atlantic in New
York's highly competitive long distance market just as it has statewide in
the local market for a year now.
The fact that MCI WorldCom has provisioned local phone service to
nearly 200,000 residential and small business customers in New York so far
proves that we're committed to competing aggressively in local markets
that have been opened to competition. In approving the Bell Atlantic-New
York application, the FCC has set the standard that other Bell companies
must meet in opening their local markets. It is vital, however, that the
FCC vigorously enforces all the requirements of this order so that the New
York market remains open.
Bell Atlantic's imminent entry into long distance in New York clearly
illustrates what MCI WorldCom and Sprint explain in their merger
application to the FCC - that the telecom market is shifting quickly
toward global carriers providing bundles of voice, wireless and broadband
Internet access services. Bell company long distance market entry, coupled
with AT&T's plans to provide local and broadband service nationwide
through its closed cable systems, demonstrates why the combined MCI
WorldCom-Sprint will be a pro-competitive force in providing a third
connection to homes and businesses."
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