In brief: BT gets $7bn cheque from WorldCom

NEWS BT has received $6.94bn from WorldCom in payment for its 20 per cent stake in MCI. The payment comes after WorldCom and MCI sealed their $37bn merger earlier this week, and gives BT the freedom to examine other alliances in the US. When asked if its customers are likely to reap the benefits of the payoff with lower prices a BT spokesman said: "BT's prices are coming down year on year anyway, but we will make the best use of it and continue to seek investment opportunities."