WorldCom Helps American Education Association Bring Technology and Connectivity To Students And Parents

American Education Association Expands Internet Access Capabilities with WorldCom Private Label DSL and Private Label Dial Services.

CLINTON, Miss. and NORTH HILLS, Calif., August 19, 2002 — WorldCom (WCOEQ, MCWEQ) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with American Education Association™ (AmEdu™) that will allow AmEdu to expand its Connected Learning Community™ program, which puts computers and technology into schools nationwide at no cost to the schools.

This new relationship will enable AmEdu to provide national Internet services for parents of K-12 students via access to WorldCom’s DSL services and global Dial network. According to Richard Favara, founder of AmEdu, as part of its commitment to putting technology into classrooms, every month AmEdu will deposit $5 for each of its Internet subscribers into an escrow trust account for schools to purchase computers and technology equipment. When individuals sign up for AmEdu service they can choose the school to which they wish to designate their monthly $5 donations. AmEdu’s goal is to sign up more than 112,000 subscribers and provide funding for 300 schools by the end of this year.

“By utilizing WorldCom’s DSL and Dial services, we are able to extend our services nationwide and in turn provide new capabilities for more U.S. schools,” Favara said. “It is our goal that no school, public or private, rich or poor is without the computers and other technology they need to be successful in today’s world.”

Through its relationship with WorldCom, AmEdu will have access to WorldCom’s facilities-based DSL and Dial networks. Available in 31 major metropolitan markets, through 709 Central Offices, WorldCom’s Private Label DSL gives AmEdu bulk access to WorldCom’s nationwide DSL network while branding the service as its own. WorldCom’s Private Label Dial services, available in 84 countries, enables AmEdu to provide Internet access to its customers and bundle it with its own applications and services. Both services provide AmEdu and its customers with a cost-effective Internet solution and access to WorldCom’s award-winning global IP network, which spans six continents.

“By providing a complete suite of Internet access solutions, WorldCom is able to offer customers like AmEdu the best access solution to meet their needs,” said Frank Grillo, WorldCom senior vice president of Marketing. “Our ability to deliver a combination of DSL and dial is enabling AmEdu to make its business model a reality by delivering the technology equipment and connections needed to put computers in U.S. schools.”

About American Education Association
The American Education Association is one of four companies that make up the American Education family of companies. Global Education Allianceâ„¢ is the parent company for American Education Association and American Education Onlineâ„¢, which provides parents of K-12 students, Internet service and the K-12 education Internet portal at aEDol.com. The fourth company is a non-profit organization that will cater to the needs of the financially challenged schools and provide a home for the American Education Student Advisory Council, a nation wide organization of studnts dedicated to Internet learning.

American Education got its start from Expedition Networks, Ltd. Expedition was founded in 1982 by Richard Favara as an enterprise level Value Added Reseller (VAR) and Internet Service Provider. Additional information is available at www.AmEdu.com and www.aEDol.com or write to American Education Association, 8600 Aqueduct Ave., North Hills, CA 91343 or info@AmEdu.com

About WorldCom, Inc.
WorldCom, Inc. (WCOEQ, MCWEQ) is a pre-eminent global communications provider for the digital generation, operating in more than 65 countries. With one of the most expansive, wholly-owned IP networks in the world, WorldCom provides innovative data and Internet services for businesses to communicate in today's market. In April 2002, WorldCom launched The Neighborhood built by MCI - the industry's first truly any-distance, all-inclusive local and long-distance offering to consumers for one fixed monthly price. For more information, go to http://www.worldcom.com.