Cyber-Rig jump-starts Nashville businesses as part of 50-city technology tour; MCI Takes the Information Superhighway on the Road.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 3, 1995--With a big 10-4, MCI is literally hitting the highway with one of the most technologically advanced 18-wheelers ever built.

Equipped to show how easy it is to merge onto the Information Superhighway, the networkMCI BUSINESS Mobile Marketing Center visits Nashville April 3-4, as part of a seven-month, 50-city road trip.

A first-of-its-kind technology center, TV studio and mobile office, the networkMCI BUSINESS Mobile Marketing Center is outfitted with a techno-theater and state-of-the-art workstations set up for local business people to test-drive the latest in communications and information technology. In Nashville, area elementary school students will also have an opportunity to tour the facility and participate in desktop videoconferencing with each other and individuals located at remote locations.

MCI has teamed with the Cumberland Science Museum and the DIANE Project (Diversified Information and Assistance Network) to demonstrate networkMCI BUSINESS desktop videoconferencing with a variety of Project DIANE member organizations. Visitors of the MCI Cyber-Rig will be able to communicate with individuals from Tennessee State University, the Nashville Zoo, Alabama A&M University, Saint Bernard Academy, Fisk University and the Metro Public Library.

"The networkMCI BUSINESS Mobile Marketing Center gives business people the chance to see for themselves just how simple the Information Superhighway really is," says David Ford, branch director of MCI Business Markets in Nashville. "We are traveling America's highways to bring the 21st century to business people in Nashville and throughout the nation."

MCI's Cyber-Rig was developed to meet a need identified in an MCI-sponsored Gallup survey that showed nearly half (49%)(A) of white-collar workers admit they are either "cyberphobic" -- intimidated by the Information Superhighway -- or resistant to new technology.

"The MCI-Gallup study showed that eight of 10 business people see the Information Superhighway as here or on its way, but many don't know how to approach it," says Scott Ross, president of MCI Business Markets. "With the Cyber-Rig, MCI is making house calls to American businesses to show how technology can shift their operations into high gear."

The networkMCI BUSINESS Mobile Marketing Center is a fully functional office on wheels, capable of totally independent operation or connection to local analog telephone lines, ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI) lines or AC power.

While in Nashville, the MCI Cyber-Rig will use ISDN lines donated by the DIANE Project. Six workstations feature computers with 486 processors, fax/modems, Windows and networkMCI BUSINESS software. Four are equipped with desktop videoconferencing. A working fax machine and laser printer complete the facility. Specially trained MCI representatives will steer business people through the uses and benefits of new technologies.

The "techno-theater" presentation/conference room has full videoconferencing capabilities with a 27-inch monitor, CRV video disk and VHS playback, audio CD and cassette playback, and a 486 computer loaded with the same features as those at the workstations.

In response to the MCI-Gallup study findings, MCI teamed up with Dr. Michelle Weil, a specialist in cyberphobia and the psychology of technology, to develop a handbook, "CyberSource: Cyber-Basics for Business People." The free booklet explains Information Superhighway benefits in laymen's terms and is available by calling 1-800-4-HWY-MCI.

Among the tips the "CyberSource" offers: Talk with someone who's cyber-savvy -- but can explain technology in clear, jargon-free terms-- then tap the buttons and click the mouse yourself, with a helper looking on, to guide you through the steps.

Project DIANE uses a digital public telephone network and video/multimedia computer technologies to support programs in education, community service and economic development. Now in its third year, Project DIANE has recruited and trained teachers, scientists, librarians, community workers and other service professionals in the usage of emerging information technologies.

Project DIANE has helped to electronically connect schoolchildren, college students, families, handicapped individuals, senior citizens, small businesses, and others to a variety of beneficial online learning resources, information and professional expertise. DIANE's current online membership consists of a diverse group of universities, schools, museums, libraries, neighborhood community centers, and business assistance organizations.

networkMCI BUSINESS is an easy-to-use, fully integrated information and communications software package that combines e-mail and fax messaging, on-line information services, document sharing and videoconferencing, and access to the Internet. A Windows-based package, networkMCI BUSINESS is designed to help businesses of all sizes.

MCI, headquartered in Washington, D.C., has expanded from its core long distance business to become the world's third largest carrier of international calling and a premier provider of data communications over the vast Internet computer network. With annual revenue of more than $13.3 billion, the company today provides a wide array of consumer and business long distance and local services, data and video communications, on-line information, electronic mail, network management services and communications software.

(A) Net response of two questions.

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Note to editors: Photos of the networkMCI BUSINESS Mobile Marketing Center are available upon request.

CONTACT: MCI Business Markets

Debbie Caplan, 610/660-7974 or 800/644-NEWS

or

Rick Aspan, 312/938-4732 or 800/644-NEWS