Planned Merger

“Stop the Merger of MCI-WorldCom Now” (Commentary, April 6) speculates inaccurately on the business practices and strategy of the company after the merger is completed. As president and CEO of MCI and president and CEO-designate of MCI WorldCom’s domestic operations, let me address the facts. MCI-WorldCom will create a far stronger competitor against the local phone monopolies. Consumers and businesses will gain the benefits of competitive local phone service far sooner--lower prices, more choice and superior service.

Dan Schiller is correct in recognizing the growing importance and opportunities of Internet technology. The Internet is flourishing because of an intensely competitive environment where innovation can thrive and anti-competitive practices are the equivalent of corporate suicide. There are 4,000 Internet service providers in the U.S. and nearly 40 “backbone” providers, an increase of nearly 300% in just the last 18 months. New Internet-based applications are introduced every day. But, there is one weak link--the antiquated local phone network, owned and controlled by the local phone monopolies.

Only in a competitive environment will local phone monopolies invest to make their networks truly Internet-enabled. MCI-WorldCom will offer the old monopolies all the incentive they will need to innovate and invest and in the process will deliver to our customers the world’s most advanced, integrated communication services.

TIM PRICE

Washington