MCI WorldCom To Expand Offerings

The newly merged MCI WorldCom will offer new end-to-end-voiceand data services by year's end, senior VP of marketing Brian Brewer says. In the next month, the carrier will roll out frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode, private-line Sonet, and virtual private network voice services. It will also provide services that will let companies establish seamless global intranets and extranets.

MCI and WorldCom closed their $40 billion all-stock merger last week after receiving FCC approval. The company plans to standardize its product offerings on single platforms instead of trying to merge their networks. MCI's and WorldCom's existing platforms will be phased out in the next few years.

In the short term, users may be cautious about making long-term commitments, says Jim Haney, director of global network services at appliance maker Whirlpool Corp. "It could be confusing," he says. "I don't know if my level of service will remain the same."