MCI Reinstated as Federal Government Contractor

ASHBURN, Va., January 7, 2004 - BACKGROUND: Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced it has lifted the proposed debarment of MCI and the company is again eligible to receive new government business and contract extensions. The following statement should be attributed to Michael Capellas, MCI chairman and CEO: "Over the past months, MCI and its employees have taken extensive steps to ensure the company operates with the utmost integrity. We have worked diligently to fulfill all of the ethics and internal controls criteria necessary to being a good federal government contractor. We enhanced our corporate ethics program and accounting controls, hired a new Chief Ethics Officer and completed company-wide ethics training. Today's GSA decision is a sign of confidence in the new MCI. Our employees are grateful to be eligible for new government business and contract extensions again. We will continue to provide our federal and state government customers with best-in-class service and support that they have come to expect from MCI." 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 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.