MCI, Qwest in merger talks: report

NEW YORK, Feb 3 (AFP) - MCI and Qwest Communications are in talks that may lead to a merger, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
The report said the talks between long-distance telephone giant MCI and the regional local phone group comes amid pressure on telecom companies to consolidate following the announced deal between SBC Communications and AT and T Corp. this week.
The daily said Qwest, which has been in on-and-off talks with MCI for months, was offering about 6.3 billion dollars to acquire MCI, which recently emerged from bankruptcy following a massive accounting scandal.
The Journal said Verizon Communications, another of the regional Baby Bells, may also be interested in MCI.

02/03/2005 14:10 GMT - AFP