MCI Launches New Internet Access Service

Two-Way Satellite Access Offers More Accessibility, Speed and Reliability to Businesses Across Canada

TORONTO, October 21, 2003 - MCI today announced a powerful new addition to its extensive portfolio of Internet access services. With the introduction of Internet Broadband Satellite Office service, MCI is the first major data services provider in Canada to offer two-way satellite broadband access to business customers throughout Canada and the United States.

MCI Internet Broadband Satellite Office Service
Under an agreement with Hughes Network Systems, the world's leading provider of broadband satellite solutions, MCI is combining the ubiquitous access capabilities of DIRECWAY^TM with the unrivaled reach and reliability of the MCI global IP network. This allows MCI to deliver high performance broadband service virtually everywhere -- in metropolitan, suburban and even remote geographic areas, where fast Internet connections, like DSL, are limited or unavailable.

With downstream information rates of up to 1 Mbps (megabits per second), MCI's Internet Broadband Satellite Office enables remote users to utilize advanced business applications such as multicasting and interactive services, with efficient remote access to Intranets and Extranets.

"With the addition of Internet Broadband Satellite Office to MCI's existing access portfolio, we can now offer business customers broadband access from virtually any location in Canada," said Sam Mazzotta, MCI Canada's director of Product Management. "Businesses that were previously outside of service areas now can use Internet Broadband Satellite Office as a fast and reliable access solution."

Starting at $595.00 (Cdn) and priced comparably to DSL connections, MCI's Internet Broadband Satellite Office is an "always on" access service that uses small, oval satellite dishes to send and receive information. It is suitable for both large and small businesses in Canada who have offices in remote communities, or in locations where internet access is limited or not readily available.

About WorldCom Group
WorldCom, Inc. (WCOEQ, MCWEQ), which currently conducts business under the MCI brand name, is a leading global communications provider, delivering innovative, cost-effective, advanced communications connectivity to businesses, governments and consumers. With the industry's most expansive global IP backbone, based on the number of company-owned POPs, and wholly-owned data networks, WorldCom develops the converged communications products and services that are the foundation for commerce and communications in today's market. For more information, go to http://www.mci.com.