MCI To Advance Conferencing And Collaboration Capabilities For Customers With The Microsoft Office System

Nine in 10 Business Professionals Expect To Use Collaboration Technologies
In The Next Year

ASHBURN, Va., October 21, 2003 - MCI (WCOEQ, MCWEQ) today announced that it has enhanced its Net Conferencing service, powered by Microsoft Office Live Meeting, part of the Microsoft Office System, to deliver a powerful combination of Microsoft's Web-based conferencing software with MCI's premier conferencing service. According to a national survey recently conducted by MCI, Meetings in America V, six in 10 (58 percent) expect to Web conference and nine in 10 (87 percent) expect to use collaboration technologies, such as audio, video or Web conference services in the coming year.

MCI also announced that it is working together with Microsoft to support next-generation conferencing capabilities using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based conferencing tools that will empower virtual teams to instantaneously meet using multiple media - Web, audio and videoconferencing and instant messaging. The companies are currently conducting a trial integrating Microsoft Office Phone Conference Technology Preview with MCI's unsurpassed audioconferencing bridge network to develop real-time, dynamic business solutions for dispersed workgroups.

"Companies large and small are using Net Conferencing to boost productivity, reduce travel costs and strengthen organizational communications," said Phil Knell, vice president of Conferencing for MCI. "We greatly value our relationship with Microsoft and will continue to work closely together to provide essential communication solutions for the business community."

"Microsoft Office Live Meeting is a critical component of the Microsoft Office System, which enables true collaboration and teamwork," said Murari Narayan, Director of Marketing at Microsoft Corp. "It's through great services such as MCI Net Conference, that Live Meeting can be extended to businesses worldwide. We're pleased to be working with MCI on this initiative, as well as on next-generation conferencing."

MCI Net Conferencing Meets Demand for Web-based Conferencing Services
MCI is poised to meet increased demand for Web-based conferencing services. MIA V revealed that three in four people (74 percent) have participated in a Web conference before-39 percent within the past year. IDC, a leading telecommunications industry analyst firm, predicts 250 million people will be using Web conferencing applications by 2007.

In addition to interactive tools such as document collaboration, Q&A, and audience polling, MCI Net Conferencing, powered by Microsoft Office Live Meeting, now integrates with MCI's on-demand audioconferencing service, Instant Meeting. From MCI's Net Conferencing console, leaders can conveniently manage the audioconference portion of their meetings, including dialing out to attendees, conducting a roll call, muting and un-muting phone lines, and blocking uninvited participants from joining a call.

MCI offers the full spectrum of Net Conferencing solutions, which can support large-scale, high profile events as well as instant, small-group collaboration meetings. In addition, MCI simplifies conferencing by integrating audio and Net Conferencing on several levels:

• Integrated end-to-end meeting experience with one single point of login and "always available" meeting information for conference hosts and participants
• Single point of reservation via Microsoft Office Outlook 2003
• Integrated reservations and billing. Users receive a single invoice and online details for all audioconferencing and Net Conferencing services used.

MCI Advances SIP-based Collaboration
MCI is also currently testing the integration of the Microsoft Office Phone Conference Technology Preview, a Microsoft client that allows an end user to initiate on-demand audioconferences using Microsoft Office System and MCI's audioconferencing bridge network to make real-time collaboration a reality. The trial is a springboard for future SIP-enabled Web-based conferencing solutions that will enable workgroups to be able to see who is online and invite available participants via a choice of media, including audio, Web, or videoconferencing, as well as instant messaging.

By linking the power of the Microsoft Office System with MCI's intelligent network, end-users will soon be able to instantly place multipoint conference calls on demand through Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 or Microsoft Windows Messenger. For instance, an e-mail recipient will be able to use the OPC tool to conveniently dial out to others copied on the e-mail and initiate a live telephone discussion via MCI's audioconference bridge.

Both Windows Messenger and MCI Advantage, MCI's flagship business offering, support SIP. This non-proprietary protocol allows for customized network solutions and the seamless integration of new services and applications. MCI is the first major carrier to implement SIP-based services into its network and one of the first carriers to incorporate Microsoft Windows Messenger into its service offering.

About Meetings in America
Meetings in America V: Meeting of the Minds was commissioned by MCI, the world's largest provider of conferencing services. This year's study was conducted by Impulse Research Corporation, headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. Data collection was conducted in Aug. 2003 among 1003 qualified respondents representing a cross section of business travelers in the U.S. who have taken at least one trip by air for business purposes and have attended at least one meeting via audio, web or video conferencing in the past 12 months. Complete results of the study can be viewed online at www.mci.com/conferencing.

About WorldCom
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 industrys 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 www.mci.com.