WorldCom Raises Long-Distance Rates

WorldCom Inc., the second-biggest U.S. long-distance telephone provider, is raising calling rates at its MCI residential unit for the third time in three months to stem a slide in revenue.

Starting Feb. 1, the state-to-state rate on four plans including MCI Anytime Advantage will rise to 9 cents a minute from 7 cents, according to WorldCom’s Internet site.

The rate for another plan will increase to 9 cents from 8 cents.

The company, which filed for bankruptcy protection in July, has about 18 million residential phone customers.

WorldCom’s shares rose 4 cents to 18 cents in over-the-counter trading.