WASHINGTON-MCI Communications Corp. plans to offer cellular service in 20 new major markets by year’s end, including Atlanta, Detroit and Miami. MCI currently buys cellular from both A- and B-side carriers and resells it in 10 markets covering 25 percent of the population. The additional 20 markets will increase MCI’s coverage to 45 percent of the U.S. population.
The company also is launching numerous cellular packages that include free long distance and cellular airtime, as well as airline frequent flier miles. MCI said these are just their first, moves to integrate and balance products. The company has built a fiber optic local phone network in 10 major U.S. cities and is waiting to clear state regulatory processes before bundling local phone service in as well.
