WorldCom, Inc. Announces Initial Acceptance In Exchange Offers And Consent Solicitations
Jackson, Mississippi, August 8, 1997
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orldCom, Inc. (Nasdaq:WCOM) announced today that it has exercised its
option to accept all MFS Communications Company, Inc. (MFS) notes
validly tendered as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, August 8, 1997 in
its on-going Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations. The Company
said it has received requisite consents from holders of notes of its
MFS subsidiary to allow the Company to accept tenders prior to the
expiration of the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations and thereby
effect certain amendments to the respective indentures governing the
notes. The expiration time of the Exchange Offers and Consent
Solicitations is 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 19, 1997.
Specifically, as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, August 8, 1997,
WorldCom had received valid tenders and consents from holders of
approximately $680.9 million of principal amount at stated maturity, as
of the date of their original issuance, of 9-3/8% Senior Discount Notes
due January 15, 2004 of MFS (or approximately 86% of total
outstanding), and from holders of approximately $690.1 million of
principal amount at stated maturity, as of the date of their original
issuance, of 8-7/8% Senior Discount Notes due January 15, 2006 of MFS
(or approximately 76% of total outstanding.)
As previously announced, WorldCom offered to exchange (i) $871.60
principal amount of its newly issued 9-3/8% Senior Notes due January
15, 2004 (CUSIP #98155K AD 4) for each $1,000 principal amount at
stated maturity, as of the date of their original issuance, of
outstanding 9-3/8% Senior Discount Notes due January 15, 2004 of MFS,
properly tendered, and (ii) $737.91 principal amount of its newly
issued 8-7/8% Senior Notes due January 15, 2006 (CUSIP #98155K AE 2)
for each $1,000 principal amount at stated maturity, as of the date of
their original issuance, of outstanding 8-7/8% Senior Discount Notes
due January 15, 2006 of MFS, properly tendered. In connection with the
Exchange Offers, the Company is also soliciting consents to certain
amendments to the respective indentures governing the MFS notes. Both
the Exchange Offers and the Consent Solicitations are upon the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth in the prospectus, as
supplemented, and letters of transmittal related to the Exchange Offers
and the Consent Solicitations.
The Company plans to commence the payment of the consent fees and
the settlement of the Exchange Offers with respect to accepted tenders
and consents on or about August 13, 1997, or as soon as practicable
thereafter.
WorldCom is a global business telecommunications company. Operating
in more than 50 countries, the Company is a premier provider of
facilities-based and fully integrated local, long distance,
international and Internet services. WorldCom subsidiary, UUNET
Technologies, Inc., is the world's largest provider of Internet
services. WorldCom's World Wide Web address is http://www.wcom.com.
The common and depositary shares of WorldCom trade on the Nasdaq
National Market (U.S.) under the symbol WCOM and WCOMP,
respectively.
The Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are made solely by the
prospectus and consent solicitation dated July 3, 1997, as supplemented
by a supplement dated August 5, 1997, the related letters of
transmittal and consent, and any amendments or supplements thereto.
Copies of the prospectus, as supplemented and transmittal materials can
be obtained from MacKenzie Partners, Inc., the information agent for
the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations, at the following
address:
156 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York, 10010
(212) 929-5500 (collect)
(800) 322-2885 (toll free)
This announcement is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of
an offer to sell WorldCom notes or MFS notes. The Exchange Offers and
Consent Solicitations are not being made to, nor will tenders be
accepted from, or on behalf of, holders of MFS notes in any
jurisdiction in which the making of the Exchange Offers and Consent
Solicitations or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with
the laws of such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction where securities,
blue sky laws or other laws require the Exchange Offers and Consent
Solicitations to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Exchange
Offers and Consent Solicitations will be deemed to be made on behalf of
WorldCom by the dealer managers or one or more registered brokers or
dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.