MCI Wireless - Still In Business
In the summer of 2004 the former telecommunication giant MCI
World Com emerged from a 21 month process that ended with the
largest bankruptcy filing in U.S. history. The restructured
company is now called MCI. It has a very strong focus on
residential and long distance services. Less attention if paid
to its formerly popular cellular phone business.
Before the bankruptcy MCI purchased their cellular products and
services from Verizon and AT&T and sold them to consumers
through a few MCI retailers and independent dealers. At the time
MCI cell phone plans were very similar to those being offered by
AT&T and Verizon. Even the names of MCI's plans were only
slightly different. Users of MCI cell phone plans often had
problems with being charged for roaming or long distance, when
they were not roaming or were dialing from a local area. There
were also customer service and other billing problems.
Maybe this is why MCI seems to be moving away from cell phone
services and placing its emphasis on residential and long
distance plans. However there are rumors of a merger with a
strong cellular provider such as Sprint.
At this time you can't find information about cellular services
on MCI's website. About all you can find on the internet about
MCI's Wireless business is negative feedback on its prior
cellular services or information about its wireless computer
services. MCI teamed up with Skytel to offer services such as
two way messaging, wireless email, and one way paging (both text
and numeric).
If you are looking into MCI as a potential provider of your cell
phone service, you may have a bit of a wait. However you may be
well advised to look into MCI's long distance plans for your
home or business needs.
MCI is making a strong comeback fueled by its international
calling cards that allow you to call anywhere from 30 countries.
They also have a plan that allows you to call from any U.S.
military base to any other base for less then 6 cents a minute.
This new stronger MCI may soon reenter the world of cellular
phones.