TELECOMMUNICATIONS

AT&T; Ads Dispute MCI Claims: AT&T; questioned the ethics of MCI in new TV commercials that may be the most sharply worded yet in the battle between the long-distance phone companies. In the two commercials, which began airing Friday, AT&T; claims MCI’s ad smislead viewers into believing MCI’s international calling rates are 50% cheaper that AT&T;’s. The MCI ads compare that company’s rates under its Friends Around the World discount calling plan to AT&T;’s much higher standard rates--instead of AT&T;’s cheaper rates under its Reach Out Program, the phone giant’s similar discount international calling plan.