After much speculation, MCI
Worldcom announced Wednesday it would soon begin providing Internet
service to consumers.
Speaking at an event sponsored by the Economic Strategies Institute, MCI
Worldcom President Tim Price said the company would expand its services to
include individual customers.
“This week we’ll be announcing a brand new offering from MCI
WorldCom–Internet access for all consumers–featuring fast, reliable,
dial-up access to the Internet using the UUNet Internet backbone,” he said.
MCI Worldcom was forced to abandon its ISP division as a condition of its
merger in September 1998, but rumors arose last week that the company was
planning to resume its consumer Internet services. UUNet already provides
access to businesses, including a recent deal with computer retailer Gateway 2000 for its gateway.net ISP service.
According to published reports, MCI WorldCom will initially offer consumers
dial-up Internet access, with high-speed digital subscriber line (DSL)
service being added in the future.
MCI Worldcom could not be reached for further comment.