MCI Offering High-Speed Wireless Internet

MCI WorldCom is preparing another option for high-speed Internet access using wireless technology. The new method of data transmission is known as MMDS, or multichannel multipoint distribution service. The company began service trials last month, which brought wireless Internet access to businesses and homes by using airwaves to bypass local telephone and cable systems.

The trials were held in Memphis, Tenn., Jackson, Miss., and Baton Rouge, La. They were an initial step of MCI WorldCom's efforts to offer high-speed broadband services using radio spectrums designated for MMDS, according to Joe Paluska, a spokesman for MCI WorldCom. "This allows us to offer high-speed broadband access to markets that range from rural where there's no choice for Internet access to other markets where buildings and homes aren't wired for DSL," he said.

The company recently conducted a demo that consisted of downloading heavy graphics files from the NASA Web site, which were downloaded in seconds. According to Paluska, "A file that would take 30 minutes on a 56K modem would take seconds with MMDS."

MCI WorldCom plans to release commercial MMDS services later this year, pending FCC licensing approval.