WorldCom posted third-quarter results that dropped from the year-earlier level, led by declining revenues from the voice services of its Worldcom group, and the Internet business of MCI.
Business voice revenues fell 6 per cent from last year, representing 30 per cent of WorldCom group's revenues compared to 35 per cent in the third quarter of 2000.
Business long-distance voice revenues were hit by declining wireless voice resale revenues, the company said in a statement.
In spite of an "uncertain global economic environment," the company said it kept its full-year 2001 guidance for revenue growth of 12-15 per cent and earnings before interest, tax and depreciation at $7.8 billion to $8.3 billion.
The MCI group posted total revenues of $3.5 billion, down sharply from $4.2 billion the year earlier.
The revenue decline was primarily caused by a fall in wholesale and dial-up Internet service revenues due to "a very difficult competitive and business environment and, to a lesser extent, continuing efforts to rationalise unprofitable alternative channel business," it said.
AFP