FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:        NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
  October 5, 1999                    Michael Balmoris at (202) 418-0253
                                Email: mbalmoris@fcc.gov
  
        STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN WILLIAM E. KENNARD
 ON PROPOSED MERGER OF MCI WORLDCOM, INC. AND SPRINT CORP.
  
       American consumers are enjoying the lowest long distance rates in
  history and the lowest Internet rates in the world for one reason: competition. 
  Competition has produced a price war in the long distance market.     This
  merger appears to be a surrender. How can this be good for consumers?  The
  parties will bear a heavy burden to show how consumers would be better off.
  
                          - FCC -