Stung by AT&T;’s Internet Offer, MCI Returns Fire

MCI Communications Corp. on Monday launched an aggressive pitch for its consumer Internet access service after being stung by the interest AT&T; Corp. has generated for its new connection to the global data network.

Although MCI has offered Internet access to consumers for more than a year, it has barely promoted it, and analysts believe MCI has signed up fewer than 50,000 customers at home.

“MCI has let itself be cast in the role of reacting to AT&T; even though they’ve been ahead for a number of months,” said Adam Schoenfeld, analyst at Jupiter Communications. “It’s really a mystery as to why they haven’t been aggressive on marketing.”

MCI said it has 2 million Internet subscribers, chiefly through services it runs for universities and businesses.

MCI will match AT&T;’s offer of five hours of free Internet time a month to people who use its long-distance service. MCI also plans to continue offering unlimited access for $19.95 per month. AT&T; is charging the same price.

MCI shares closed up 87.5 cents at $29 on Nasdaq; AT&T; rose 50 cents to $61.875 on the NYSE.