FAQs

  1. What led to WorldCom’s decline?
    • Acquisition of Sprint that stalled
    • Focus on dividend payments rather than growth
  2. Who was the CEO of WorldCom during its downturn?
    • Bernard Ebbers
  3. What was WorldCom’s crowning achievement?
    • Acquiring MCI from British Telecommunications
  4. What was the purpose of the restructuring announced by Ebbers?
    • To address the perception of uncertainty about the company’s direction
  5. What did some analysts predict for the tracking stock, “MCIT”?
    • A decline similar to that of Avaya, spun off from Lucent Technologies
  6. What were some of the emerging data markets that Ebbers believed would drive growth?
    • Managed Web hosting and Internet Protocol-Virtual Private Networks (IP-VPN)
  7. Why did Ebbers admit fault for the Sprint deal?
    • It held back WorldCom’s growth for a year
  8. What did the chief technology officer, Fred Briggs, emphasize about WorldCom’s data services?
    • They offered “end-to-end” services
  9. What did analyst Drake Johnstone recommend for investors regarding the tracking stock?
    • A “wait-and-see approach”
  10. Why was the MCI acquisition considered a mistake by some analysts?
    • It appears that way “looking in the rear-view mirror”
  11. What did Ebbers admit about the consumer division, MCI?
    • It would be allowed to continue its slow decline
  12. What was the reason for downgrading WorldCom by brokerage houses?
    • Uncertainty about the company’s direction

Summary

WorldCom, once a powerhouse in the telecom industry, faced significant challenges in the late 1990s. The company’s acquisition of Sprint stalled, and its focus on dividend payments rather than growth slowed its progress. Bernard Ebbers, the CEO at the time, announced a restructuring plan that involved splitting the company into two parts, creating a tracking stock for consumer services under the symbol “MCIT.”

Despite the restructuring, some analysts expressed skepticism about the tracking stock’s potential, predicting a decline similar to that experienced by Avaya. However, Ebbers remained confident in the company’s future, emphasizing the growth potential of emerging data markets such as managed Web hosting and IP-VPN.

The company’s chief technology officer, Fred Briggs, stressed the unique capabilities of WorldCom’s data services, offering “end-to-end” solutions. Despite these efforts, analysts advised investors to take a cautious approach towards the tracking stock and the company itself.

Overall, WorldCom’s decline can be attributed to several factors, including the failed Sprint acquisition, the lack of focus on growth, and the perception of uncertainty about the company’s direction. The restructuring plan aimed to address some of these challenges, but only time will tell whether these measures will be successful in revitalizing WorldCom and restoring its former glory.