MCI and Intel Form Alliance to Sell Computer Networking Solutions [3rd December 2003]

ASHBURN, Va., Dec 03, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via Comtex/ -- MCI (WCOEQ, MCWEQ) today announced a strategic alliance with Intel Corporation to jointly market and sell MCI's portfolio of business voice, data and Internet solutions through the Intel Product Dealer Channel. Intel Product Dealers can take advantage of MCI's comprehensive communications capabilities with its leading-edge computer products to deliver a complete computer networking solution to business and government customers. As part of the alliance, the two companies will develop targeted products and solutions to further meet the needs of Intel Product Dealer customers.

"By working together, MCI and Intel will deliver a seamless computer networking solution to the marketplace," said Jonathan Crane, executive vice president of MCI Corporate Development and Strategy. "Furthering our vision of the convergence of communications and computing, we have effectively extended MCI's distribution channel by more than 40,000 Intel Product Dealer channel members."

Under terms of the agreement, MCI and Intel will market and bundle solutions, such as wireless hotspot communications and Virtual Private Networks (VPN).

As one of the largest value-added reseller programs in the United States, Intel Product Dealers have a unique understanding of the needs of small and medium-sized businesses as well as government and education organizations. In addition to selling personal computing equipment, Intel Product Dealers also provide consulting services and network products.

"Intel's channel has for many years shown its value to their customers by providing leading-edge products and services. We're excited to enable them to continue to broaden their set of services with the broad range of MCI products," said John Davies, vice president and director, Solution Market Development Group, Intel. "The growth of converged applications and services delivered by MCI and Intel's product dealers is an exciting way to integrate new solutions for end-users."

Services Available

As a leader in voice, data, Internet and converged network solutions, MCI has designed its products to support a full array of data and voice communication solutions requested today by businesses and government agencies. Intel Product Dealers can immediately offer its customers MCI's services and expertise including:

Voice Services: As one of the largest global communications providers, MCI delivers a complete suite of voice services including local, long distance, conferencing and multi-media contact centers. By operating facilities around the world, MCI can transport a company's traffic from start to finish, over a single global network. As a result, MCI customers benefit from greater voice quality at competitive costs. In addition, through its award-winning MCI Advantage offering, MCI can help Intel customers save on management costs and streamline communications by converging local, long distance and data services onto one network.

Data Services: Customers of Intel's dealers can take advantage of MCI's comprehensive portfolio of data products and services including state-of-the- art Web hosting, security and data network solutions (Frame, ATM, IP and IP VPNs). For example, MCI's fully managed IP VPN solutions will allow Intel Product Dealer customers to connect to their corporate intranet or extranet in more than 80 countries. By offering one of the most comprehensive suites of data products and services in the industry, MCI is able to provide Intel Product Dealers with data solutions that interoperate and are scalable to meet the needs of their customers.

Internet Services: MCI owns and operates the farthest-reaching global IP network, based on the number of company-owned Points of Presence. Intel Product Dealers can now provide customers with a variety of access solutions through MCI, offering speeds from dial to OC-48 for both data and voice. In addition, Intel customers can capitalize on MCI's remote access solutions, enabling simple and secure access to launch a VPN client and connect to corporate networks via a wireless, dial up or Ethernet connection.

For additional information on services available through the Intel Product Dealer program, call 866-655-6565 or visit www.intel.com/go/mci.

About WorldCom, Inc.

WorldCom, Inc. (WCOEQ, MCWEQ), which currently conducts business under the MCI brand name, is a leading global communications provider, delivering innovative, cost-effective, advanced communications connectivity to businesses, governments and consumers. With the industry's most expansive global IP backbone, based on the number of company-owned POPs, and wholly owned data networks, WorldCom develops the converged communications products and services that are the foundation for commerce and communications in today's market. For more information, go to http://www.mci.com.

SOURCE MCI