MCI Teams With America Online to Provide IP-RELAY Services

From: PR Newswire (press release) - Jul 8, 2004

AOL(R) Members, AOL(R) Instant Messenger(TM) (AIM(R)) and Apple(R) iChat(R) Users Can Access MCI Services

ASHBURN, Va., July 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MCI (MCIA.PK) today announced it has reached an agreement with America Online ("AOL") to allow deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech disabled individuals to access MCI's IP- RELAY.com services via AOL, AOL(R) Instant Messenger(TM) and Apple Computer iChat services. Deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech disabled AOL members and AIM users can now establish an instant text conversation with MCI Relay operators to complete calls from computers and mobile devices with Internet access.

"The popularity and convenience of AOL's instant messaging services adds another significant dimension to our IP-RELAY.com services," said Paul Orloff, MCI director of Relay Services. "Our agreement with AOL is yet another example of how MCI is delivering innovative IP-based solutions that help the deaf and hard-of-hearing community communicate more simply and effectively."

The AIM service is available free-of-charge on a variety of Internet- enabled devices. Users will be able to instantly connect to MCI's IP-RELAY.com services anywhere, at any time. To establish a call, AOL members, AIM users and iChat users can simply add the MCI Relay screen name, "My IP Relay," to their Buddy List(R) feature. When users click on the "My IP Relay" screen name and open a message window, they will be prompted to initiate an IP-RELAY.com call. Users simply type what they want to say into the message window and an operator facilitates the call.

The new relationship with AOL and its instant messaging services is an expansion of MCI's IP-RELAY.com and Wireless IP-RELAY.com services. In June 2004, MCI announced the launch of one of the first, nationwide Wireless IP- Relay services. MCI's Wireless IP-RELAY.com service turns a wireless device into a "cell phone" for the deaf and hard of hearing and provides users the ability to communicate on-the-go rather than being limited to placing relay calls from a computer.

There is no charge to use MCI's IP-RELAY.com services in the United States, but normal wireless device and Internet connection rates may apply. Users must have a text- or web-enabled wireless device and wireless service plan in order to access the feature.

About IP-RELAY.com

IP-RELAY.com, powered by MCI, is the one-stop site for every relay calling need. Deaf and hard-of-hearing persons can sign their conversations via IP- RELAY VRS, receive calls from voice users via IP-RELAY Voice/NexTalk, communicate with any voice user through IP-RELAY Text in addition to a host of other communication options. MCI was the first company to offer IP-based relay service and is committed to providing the most convenient, confidential and technologically advanced ways to keep people connected.

About MCI

MCI, Inc. (MCIA.PK) 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 points-of-presence, and wholly-owned data networks, MCI develops the converged communications products and services that are the foundation for commerce and communications in today's markets. For more information, go to http://www.mci.com.

About America Online, Inc.

America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX). Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.

SOURCE MCI, Inc.
Web Site:
http://www.mci.com
http://www.IP-RELAY.com

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