Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : WCOM -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: SC who wrote (4617)	6/9/1999 9:16:00 PM
From: P.M.Freedman	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 11568

It's a wise move.

To: SC who wrote (4617)	6/9/1999 10:14:00 PM
From: Anthony Wong	Respond to of 11568

Wireless-Minded MCI Worldcom Denies Merger Talks With Sprint June 09, 1999 8:41 PM By Shawn Young, Staff Reporter NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- MCI Worldcom Inc. Chief Executive Bernard J. Ebbers Wednesday denied his company is in merger talks with Sprint Corp., amid recent speculation that MCI WorldCom is looking to develop a wireless telephone business to compete with major competitors such as AT&T Corp. and even Sprint itself. "We're not talking to Sprint," Ebbers said. "It'd be a real synergy though." Although Ebbers reiterated recent statements that MCI Worldcom (WCOM) is interested in wireless, he said the company doesn't feel a need to make an acquisition right away. If it were to merge with Westwood, Kan.-based Sprint, MCI Worldcom would gain not only a large customer base, but also Sprint's huge wireless business, which trades as Sprint PCS Group (PCS). Clinton, Miss.-based MCI Worldcom is alone among the top three long-distance carriers - itself, AT&T (T), and Sprint - in not having a wireless business. The company last month announced plans to acquire paging-services firm SkyTel Communications Inc.(SKYT), one of the country's largest wireless-messaging services, in a stock deal worth $1.3 billion when announced. MCI WorldCom at the time said the acquisition of the paging company would help it develop its wireless strategy, and hinted at future moves in the wireless market. MCI WorldCom earlier last month moved to double the number of shares it can issue, with the intention of pursuing more deals in the fast-changing telecom industry. In April, MCI WorldCom purchased CAI Wireless Inc., a wireless-cable company, for approximately $350 million. The Wall Street Journal last month said MCI WorldCom could make purchases in Asia or Europe, where the company is moving quickly to build its networks. Some company watchers at the time had suggested that Ebbers also could have his eyes on Sprint or a regional Bell operating company, a move that would likely be more palatable to regulators once the Bells enter the long-distance phone market. MCI WorldCom also recently walked away from merger talks with Nextel Communications Inc. (NXTL), one of the country's biggest wireless carriers, because it would have meant the assumption of billions of dollars of debt. Copyright (c) 1999 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. smartmoney.com