Preliminary Results Show MCI Stockholders Approve Verizon Merger

ASHBURN Va., October 6, 2005 - At a Special Meeting held today, MCI (NASDAQ: MClP) stockholders approved a merger agreement with Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), preliminary results show. The company said that the results indicate 64.2 percent of outstanding shares and 88.2 percent of votes cast voted in favor of the merger. The company said the votes will be certified as soon as possible. "This vote of support by our shareholders represents a key milestone in the merger approval process," said Michael D. Capellas, MCI president and chief executive officer. "The combined company will have the strength and assets necessary to be a competitive force in today's transforming communications marketplace." Once the votes are certified the MCI Board of Directors is expected to declare a special dividend in accordance with the merger agreement. The merger is expected to close in late 2005 or early 2006, pending certain regulatory approvals. About MCI
MCI, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCIP) is a leading global communications provider, delivering innovative, cost-effective, advanced communications connectivity to businesses, governments and consumers. With one of the most expansive global IP backbones and wholly-owned data networks, MCI develops the converged communications products and services that are the foundation for commerce and communications in today's market. For more information, go to www.mci.com. This document contains statements about expected future events and financial results that are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following important factors could affect future results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements: a significant change in the timing of, or the imposition of any government conditions to, the closing of the previously announced proposed transaction between MCI and Verizon; actual and contingent liabilities; and the extent and timing of our ability to obtain revenue enhancements and cost savings following the previously announced proposed transaction between MCI and Verizon. Additional factors that may affect the future results of MCI and Verizon are set forth in their respective filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at investor.verizon.com/SEC/ and www.mci.com/about/investor_relations/sec/.