MCI To Provide Free Phone Calls to Troops In Iraq For The Holidays

Company to Enable US Troops to Call Home Nov. 21-27 and Dec. 21-Jan. 1

ASHBURN, Va., November 16, 2004 - MCI, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCIP) today announced that as part of its continued effort to support U.S. Armed Forces personnel stationed in Iraq, it will provide them free phone calls November 21-27 and December 21 through January 1. In addition, MCI is distributing prepaid calling cards and making resources, technology and employee support available to military personnel and their families around the world.

"Enabling families to communicate during the holiday season is our way of saying 'thank you' to the men and women of the armed forces and their families," said Jerry Edgerton, senior vice president of MCI Government Markets "We want our men and women stationed in Iraq to know we appreciate the work they're doing and the sacrifices they're making."

In Iraq, MCI has deployed a mobile communications trailer to Camp Victory. This communications facility will be outfitted with phones and Internet connectivity, allowing military personnel to make free calls and send email 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In an effort to help U.S. troops traveling through, stationed or recuperating in the United States, as well as their families, MCI has provided pre-paid calling cards to military support groups for distribution this holiday season. Calling cards have also been provided to Walter Reed and Bethesda Medical centers and for distribution at Baltimore/Washington (BWI) and Hartsfield airports. These calling cards will enable troops and their families to make free local, long-distance and international calls from anywhere in the United States.

About MCI
MCI, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCIP) 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, and wholly-owned data networks, MCI 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.