MCI WORLDCOM CALLS FOR COMPETITIVE ISP ACCESS TO ALL TELECOM NETWORKS IN PENNSYLVANIA

Supports Legislation to Require 'Open Access'

News Bureau Media Relations 800-644-NEWS Investors Scott Hamilton 601-460-4981

HARRISBURG, PA, October 21, 1999 - MCI WorldCom told the Pennsylvania House Consumer Affairs Committee today that all last-mile telecom providers, regardless of whether they use fiber, cable or wireless to reach their customers, should be required to open their networks to competitors, who in return would pay a fair price for using those networks to reach the market.

Speaking in support of HB-1516, which among other things would require AT&T to open its proprietary cable networks to competitors - and alternative Internet service providers in particular -- MCI WorldCom Government Affairs Senior Manager Francis Valluzzo told the Committee that MCI WorldCom is uniquely positioned to argue in favor of so-called 'open access'. He pointed out that MCI WorldCom led the charge to open the long distance market once dominated by AT&T and currently is battling on the front lines to break open the Bell-controlled local phone markets.

"MCI WorldCom has always advocated for open competition in all markets," Valluzzo testified. "We believe that in a competitive market, restrictions to cable network access, where that cable may end up being a customer's sole way of accessing the Internet, are no more acceptable than restrictions to accessing long distance or local phone networks."

Valluzzo said open access is particularly important in the dawning era of high-speed Internet access. He pointed out that AT&T and its @home affiliate effectively could become the only high-speed Internet choice for numerous Pennsylvanians if it refuses to allow other providers to access its network, thereby controlling the rates and services available.

"HB 1516 will establish important public policy to ensure Pennsylvanians are not denied the choice of which company provides the broadband path into their homes or businesses," he said. "MCI WorldCom is an open access company that believes competitors must be allowed to reach customers any way they can, whether that means building networks or leasing capacity from other providers. Allowing a single company to restrict access to the critical 'last mile' into a customers home or business would upset the dynamic that will allow the Internet to develop as users demand, not as a monopoly access provider warrants."

MCI WorldCom noted several benefits of HB 1516:

1. It would ensure competitors and consumers could elect to use cable or phone networks to offer or purchase broadband service;

2. It would prevent AT&T, which will control 60 percent of the nation's cable lines, from abusing its market power;

3. It would protect the public interest by ensuring that access to the Internet remains open and competitive, preserving consumers' choice in service, price and content;

4. It would prevent the dominance of any particular technology in providing Internet access;

5. It would provide incentives for cable companies to build out broadband infrastructure by sharing the cost of deployment among all parties;

6. It would accelerate the rate of consumer penetration leading to more infrastructure investment.

MCI WorldCom is a global leader in communications services with 1998 revenues of more than $30 billion and established operations in over 65 countries encompassing the Americas, Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions. MCI WorldCom is a premier provider of facilities-based and fully integrated local, long distance, international and Internet services. MCI WorldCom's global networks, including its state-of-the-art pan-European network and transoceanic cable systems, provide end-to-end high-capacity connectivity to more than 40,000 buildings worldwide. MCI WorldCom is traded on NASDAQ under WCOM. For more information on MCI WorldCom, visit the World Wide Web at http://www.wcom.com.

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