MCI Expands Global MPLS Network

Advanced Network to Provide Top Tier Performance, Capabilities and Benefits to Customers

MCI's Private IP Service Receives Cisco Powered Network Designation

ASHBURN, Va., February 4, 2004 - MCI (WCOEQ, MCWEQ) today announced it is expanding its Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network by utilizing Cisco System's latest edge-based technology, making it one of the most advanced networks of its kind. As a result, MCI's MPLS-based service-Private Internet Protocol (IP)-has earned the Cisco Powered Network designation.

Already into the first stage of its network expansion, MCI is working with Cisco to accelerate its multi-phased, edge-router deployment in 48 countries throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pac to rapidly meet increasing customer demand for its MPLS-based services, with completion expected by year-end 2004. In the U.S. alone, MCI plans to extend its Private IP network two-fold. MCI customers will benefit from new Private IP services like IP multicasting and voice over (VoIP) that allow customers to further streamline network management, lower network costs and converge voice, video and data over a single network with near flawless performance.

"Working with Cisco, MCI has engineered a superior, scalable IP platform so our customers can realize the highest level of network performance, security and flexibility available-paving the way for new communications capabilities, like Web Services, that are changing how business is conducted," said Nancy Gofus, MCI senior vice president and chief marketing officer. "We're expanding our MPLS network to help more companies to simply and quickly leverage the business advantages of IP."

The Cisco Powered Network program highlights service providers that deliver industry-leading services that enable advanced applications based on Cisco network equipment and technology. These services meet the highest industry standards for excellence in infrastructure, reliability, performance, scalability, security, and availability.

"This deployment represents increasing momentum in MCI's already significant IP and MPLS capabilities for its network, enabling MCI to increase its service flexibility and portfolio breadth, to better address its customers' evolving needs," said Sameer Padhye, vice president of marketing, service provider, Cisco Systems. "With Cisco Powered Network designated services, MCI customers will know that its Private IP service meets the industry's highest performance and technical standards such as the ability to deliver integrated voice, video and data services."

In an increasingly IP-driven world, Private IP offers businesses a simple and cost-effective transitional path from traditional data networks to a modern IP environment in which customers have the option of using their existing frame/ATM equipment. The MPLS foundation of MCI's Private IP service helps businesses gain better control over their networks and enhance efficiency by leveraging the traffic and bandwidth management capabilities of MPLS. Private IP is ideal for companies that require the highest quality of service to carry converged voice, video and data over a secure private network, while providing access to the Internet and a secure means to connect remote users.

One company taking advantage of the performance, security and scalability of MCI's Private IP service is Pizza Hut franchisee NPC International of Kansas City, Kansas. The company is using the service to securely link 800-plus pizza restaurants and call centers across the U.S. with the goal of delivering better and speedier customer service.

"In an industry where customer satisfaction is first on the menu, our IP network environment gives us the flexibility we need to communicate quickly and reliably," said Mike Woods, CIO, NPC International. "With MCI's Private IP service, we can rapidly verify credit card transactions, monitor store performance real-time, and improve delivery service for our customers by interfacing our call centers with our restaurants on a real-time basis."

MCI is deploying the Cisco 10000 Series Router as its IP/MPLS Edge Label Switch Router for its Private IP service platform. The Cisco 10000 Series delivers consistent, high performance features combined with a wide spectrum of access technologies and interfaces for carriers deploying IP/MPLS broadband and leased line services.

Built upon proven high availability and innovative adaptive network processing technology, the Cisco 10000 Series enables an unprecedented range and scale of edge network services. It benefits customers by delivering secure, scalable service attributes including quality of service (QoS), and IP and MPLS multicast. These capabilities enable MCI customers to run multiple high-bandwidth data applications and high priority voice and video applications with minimized network performance degradation.

About WorldCom, Inc.
WorldCom, Inc. (WCOEQ, MCWEQ), which, together with its subsidiaries, 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 points-of-presence (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.