WorldCom and EarthLink Extend 5-Year Relationship by Providing Wholesale Internet Access

CLINTON, MS, March 18, 2003 - WorldCom today extended its customer agreement with the award-winning Internet service provider EarthLink by providing EarthLink with wholesale dial-up Internet access via WorldCom's wholly-owned network to hundreds of U.S. cities and around the world, allowing EarthLink to expand its growing customer base.

"EarthLink is pleased to extend our long-time relationship with WorldCom. With the strength and stability of their dial-up network infrastructure, our customers will continue to receive the highest quality network connectivity and performance," said Steven Dean, vice president of Earthlink Operations Business Management.

In addition to wholesale dial-up Internet access, EarthLink also purchases dedicated Internet, DSL, and data services from WorldCom.

"As our customers know, WorldCom has a long-standing commitment to the wholesale dial-up Internet access marketplace," said John Bell, vice president of WorldCom Internet Wholesale Services. "We offer the most expansive global IP network in the world, with more than 3.2 million dial ports, as well as the necessary back-office support to maintain the highest level of service and reliability for our customers."

WorldCom entered the wholesale dial-up Internet access business in 1995. In 2002, the company's dial-up access infrastructure handled more than 13 billion access calls globally, serving customers throughout all 50 states and across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. From its industry-standard network authentication methods to its timely and comprehensive usage reporting, WorldCom is the entry point to the Internet for tens-of-millions of dial-up customers today.

About WorldCom
WorldCom, Inc. (WCOEQ, MCWEQ) is a leading global communications provider, delivering advanced communications connectivity to businesses, governments and consumers. With one of the world's most expansive, wholly-owned data networks, WorldCom provides innovative data and Internet services that are the foundation for commerce and communications in today's market. With products such as The Neighborhood built by MCI and the award-winning WorldCom Connection - the industry's first comprehensive managed voice and data network service - WorldCom continues to lead the industry in converged
communications solutions for the 21st century. For more information, go to http://www.worldcom.com.

About EarthLink
EarthLink is the Internet service provider (ISP) solution for an impatient world. Headquartered in Atlanta, EarthLink has earned a national reputation for outstanding customer service and its suite of online products and services. According to J.D. Power and Associates, EarthLink is ranked Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Dial-up ISPs and tied in the ranking for Highest Customer Satisfaction among High-Speed ISPs. Serving approximately five million subscribers, EarthLink offers what every user should expect from their Internet experience: high-quality connectivity, minimal drop-offs and ISP-generated intrusions, and customizable features. Whether it's dial-up, high-speed, Web hosting, or wireless Internet service, EarthLink provides the tools that best let individuals use and enjoy the Internet on their own terms. Learn more about EarthLink through its Core Values and Beliefs [http://www.earthlink.net/about/ourvalues/cvb/index.html] or by calling (800) EARTHLINK and visiting EarthLink's Web site at www.earthlink.net.