WorldCom Subsidiary Elects Extension Period with Respect to MCI Capital I Quarterly Income Preferred Securities

Clinton, Miss., June 17, 2002 - WorldCom, Inc. (NASDAQ: WCOM, MCIT) announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, MCI Communications Corporation, has elected to cause the deferral of interest on its 8.00% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures, Series A, and as a result MCI Capital I will not be paying interest on its 8.00% Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred Securities, Series A (NASDAQ: MCICP) beginning with the Interest Payment Date of June 30, 2002. The governing Indenture and Trust Agreement permit the deferral of interest for up to 20 consecutive quarters with respect to each deferred period.

ABOUT WORLDCOM, INC.
WorldCom, Inc. (NASDAQ: WCOM, MCIT) 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. Effective as of the close of regular trading on July 12, 2002, WorldCom will eliminate its tracking stock structure and have one class of common stock with the NASDAQ ticker symbol WCOM. For more information, go to http://www.worldcom.com.