MCI Launches IP VPN Broadband Service to Help Companies Easily and Cost Effectively Connect Retail Stores and Branch Offices

New Service Extends MCI's Award-Winning VPN Suite; Gives Customers Maximum Flexibility

ASHBURN, Va., November 19, 2003 - MCI (WCOEQ, WMCEQ) today announced the immediate availability of its new IP VPN Broadband service, enabling businesses to securely and cost effectively connect remote locations, like retail outlets, to a company's corporate resources via a high-speed, always-on solution. The new offering further extends MCI's industry-leading VPN product portfolio, giving enterprises an unparalleled choice of VPN options to meet their specific requirements.

Well suited for companies like retailers and franchisers that do not have local, on-site IT resources, MCI's new plug-n-play solution is uniquely delivered to customer sites pre-configured and ready for immediate installation, allowing businesses to get remote offices and shops online quickly. MCI provides full management of each remote site and end-users are up and running without additional software for their desktops.

"MCI's latest VPN service delivers unprecedented value, simplicity and flexibility for companies that want to enhance their business processes through the use of advanced technology while holding their bottom line," said Jim DeMerlis, MCI vice president of product management. "With IP VPN Broadband, companies now can adopt new ways of doing business by seamlessly extending their corporate networks to all of their outlying offices and retail outlets."

To connect each location, businesses have a choice of access options including MCI's Internet DSL Office and Solo offerings that are available in 55 major markets and provide end-to-end quality of service. Customers can also supplement MCI's broadband footprint by providing DSL or cable connectivity to their local sites and MCI will manage the VPN equipment.

Companies can also take advantage of the service's highly scalable, one-platform design to support any employee population across several hundred or several thousand sites, helping companies to further reduce network complexity. And network administrators can easily add/move/change users and set access policy in real time via MCI's exclusive network and directory management tool, Enterprise Service Management.

In addition, MCI's IP VPN Broadband can be used to provide secure remote access to traveling or off-site workers via dial, DSL, and/or cable connections-without additional CPE. As part of this service, MCI provides corporate users with its feature-rich Access Manager software that enables them to establish a secure, encrypted tunnel to the corporate network with great ease.

MCI offers the most extensive suite of managed VPN and global data networking solutions that are a part of the full continuum of integrated communication products and services the company provides to enterprises of all sizes around the world.

ABOUT WORLDCOM, INC.
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.