How World Com Dealt Its Way Into The Big Time
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Bernie Ebbers and three friends meet at the coffee shop at the Days Inn in Hattiesburg, Miss., to begin planning a startup to sell discount long-distance service. In November, the company is named LDDS (for Long-Distance Discount Service). The same month, LDDS receives certification from the Mississippi Public Utilities Commission to operate as a long-distance carrier. The company struggles for two years to attract customers.
LDDS sells its first minute of long distance to the University of Southern Mississippi. Ebbers named president of LDDS in April.