Call Costs Go Up!

By: Associated Press

Updated: Fri 9:38 AM, Jan 03, 2003

The nation's two largest long-distance providers are raising rates again even as local phone companies are increasingly invading their turf.

MCI, which is part of WorldCom and AT&T, recently announced the rate increases. Industry analysts say number three provider, Sprint, will likely also hike its prices. They say the companies are being forced to up the prices due to declining revenues.

Starting Feb. 1, MCI will raise the per-minute rate on its Anytime Calling and Anytime Advantage plans from seven cents a minute to nine cents a minute.

In December the Clintin based company raised rates on other plans from five cents a minute to nine cents a minute.

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