ASHBURN, Va. -- MCI (WCOEQ, WMCEQ) today announced the immediate availability of its new IP VPN Broadband service, enabling businesses to securely and cost effectively connect remote locations, like retail outlets, to a company's corporate resources via a high-speed, always-on solution. The new offering further extends MCI's industry-leading VPN product portfolio, giving enterprises an unparalleled choice of VPN options to meet their specific requirements.

Well suited for companies like retailers and franchisers that do not have local, on-site IT resources, MCI's new plug-n-play solution is uniquely delivered to customer sites pre-configured and ready for immediate installation, allowing businesses to get remote offices and shops online quickly. MCI provides full management of each remote site and end-users are up and running without additional software for their desktops.

"MCI's latest VPN service delivers unprecedented value, simplicity and flexibility for companies that want to enhance their business processes through the use of advanced technology while holding their bottom line," said Jim DeMerlis, MCI vice president of product management. "With IP VPN Broadband, companies now can adopt new ways of doing business by seamlessly extending their corporate networks to all of their outlying offices and retail outlets."

MCI