WORLDCOM EXPANDS PRIVATE IP NETWORK BASED VPN SERVICE.

WorldCom's (WCOEQ) Private IP network-based VPN service is one of the first to deliver real-time traffic management and performance reporting capabilities globally. With WorldCom's Private IP Platinum service, companies can better manage and monitor their virtual private networks to optimize network and applications performance, streamline network management and control costs.

"WorldCom continues to lead the industry delivering premier global VPN services and tools to enterprises," said Jim DeMerlis, WorldCom vice president of product management. "The advanced performance management tools we've built into Private IP Platinum provide the next level of assurance our customers require to confidently plan and implement their corporate network requirements worldwide."

WorldCom's Private IP Platinum service is ideal for new and existing VPN customers wanting to extend their network visibility and analytical capabilities. Using a secure Web-based interface, customers can review and evaluate real-time and historic VPN metrics like latency, throughput, circuit usage, and packet loss in real-time, hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and annual performance reporting formats. With this level of detail, customers can shift network resources or optimize bandwidth to accommodate up-to-the minute business requirements. Additionally, enterprises can more simply validate their network performance against WorldCom's stringent, credit-bearing service level agreements, which are some of the most competitive in the industry.

With Private IP Platinum's highly effective, proactive notification feature, customers can potentially avert or quickly resolve network performance issues globally. This advanced design significantly reduces troubleshooting by providing a comprehensive global look at all network systems including the physical network, operating environment, provisioning, alarm systems, and traffic routing mechanisms.

"The Platinum option moves WorldCom's Private IP solution up the value stack for MPLS-based VPN users," said Steve Harris, research manager for IDC. "Providing direct, real-time access to VPN performance data worldwide, enables enterprises to take full advantage of their VPN's capabilities with tangibly enhanced levels of confidence and control. Whether you're a current MPLS-based VPN user seeking greater visibility into your network's operation to optimize its performance, or if considering migration to an IP networking solution, a monitoring and reporting service like Private IP Platinum is worth a look."

Supported by Visual Networks' (NASDAQ:VNWK) performance management technology, WorldCom's Private IP Platinum comes complete with customer premise equipment (CPE) and software, ongoing maintenance, service management support, access to WorldCom's Web-based reporting service and premier troubleshooting capabilities. The service is available immediately for a low monthly fee per circuit.

"WorldCom is committed to using the principles of Total Quality Management in our operations and customer support," said DeMerlis. "We've built quality processes into our front and back-end service delivery in the form of feature-rich products supported by industry-leading service level guarantees backed by monetary credits, plus the tools customers need to monitor and measure the quality of service we deliver."

With Private IP Platinum, customers gain access to online reporting through the WorldCom Customer Center (http://www.worldcom.com/us/wcc), the company's electronic customer relationship management Web portal. The Customer Center also provides a 24/7 venue for WorldCom VPN customers to order, provision, monitor, report, purchase and pay for their WorldCom services.

WorldCom offers the most extensive suite of secure VPN and data networking services to meet every customer's need and management preference -- from traditional private line, frame relay and ATM networks to advanced VPN solutions -- all backed by the highest performance guarantees. Each runs over WorldCom's global IP and facilities-based data networks and is a part of the full continuum of integrated communication products and services WorldCom provides to enterprises of all sizes around the world.

About WorldCom, Inc.

WorldCom, Inc. (WCOEQ, MCWEQ) is a pre-eminent global communications provider for the digital generation, operating in more than 65 countries. With one of the most expansive, wholly-owned IP networks in the world, WorldCom provides data and Internet services for businesses to communicate in today's market. In April 2002, WorldCom launched The Neighborhood built by MCI -- the industry's first truly any-distance, all-inclusive local and long-distance offering to consumers for one fixed monthly price.

WorldCom can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.worldcom.com/ .

For more information, call 614/723-1060.