Sprint says dump WorldCom

NEWS WorldCom rival Sprint has told the US government that it should break its contract with the troubled data carrier for the operation of a top secret research network. The broadband classified research network contract with the Pentagon is one of WorldCom's largest, worth $450m over 10 years. However, Sprint claimed WorldCom's recent accountancy hiccup may mean it is not the most trustworthy company to be looking after sensitive information. WorldCom won the contract from Global Crossing in April 2002. Sprint was also involved in the competition for the contract at that time. The Defence Information Systems Agency, part of the Department of Defense, is investigating Sprint's gripe with WorldCom and is likely to announce its decision by October this year.