Competition Means Customers Can Save on Local Toll
Calls
BOSTON, April 19, 1999 - MCI WorldCom is striking up
competition in Massachusetts' local toll calling market. Beginning
tomorrow, Massachusetts consumers in Bell Atlantic territory will be
able to choose their local toll carrier like they choose their
long-distance provider. For the first time, consumers who live in areas
of the state where Bell Atlantic provides local phone service will be
able to select a company other than Bell Atlantic to automatically
carry their local toll calls. Previously, in order to choose another
carrier, consumers had to dial a cumbersome access code before placing
these calls.
Competition Brings Lower Rates
"More choices in the local toll market means greater savings
for consumers," said Joyce Dorris, MCI WorldCom director of brand
marketing. "Starting April 20, MCI One Savings residential
long-distance customers who live in Massachusetts can enjoy a low rate
of just five cents per minute on their local toll calls during evenings
and weekends."
Local toll calls, also referred to as regional toll calls, are calls
placed within a Local Access Transport Area (LATA), yet outside the
local calling area. For example, a call from Boston to Springfield is a
local toll call. Charges for these calls are not included in a
customer's monthly charge for local phone service. These types of
calls generally are itemized on phone bills as local long-distance or
local toll calls.
Consumers interested in learning more about local toll rates or who
would like to sign up for local toll service with MCI WorldCom are
invited to call 1-800-754-3002.
A Long Time Coming
Historically, local toll calls were handled solely by local
telephone monopolies, but competition has gradually increased with the
entry of companies like MCI WorldCom into this market. With the advent
of choice, consumers are seeing lower prices and the other benefits of
competition, such as better customer service.
MCI WorldCom
MCI WorldCom is a global communications company with revenue 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. For
more information on MCI WorldCom, visit the World Wide Web at
http://www.wcom.com.
