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<TITLE>may0504_s8-emp</TITLE>
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    <td align="center"><b><font size=2 face="serif">As filed with the Securities
          and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2004 </font></b> </td>
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    <td align="right"> <font size="2"><b><font face="serif">Registration No.
            333-_____</font></b> </font></td>
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      <td align="center">&nbsp;</td>
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      <td align="center"><font size="3"><b><font face="serif">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<br>
      </font></b></font><font size="2"><b><font face="serif">Washington, D.C.
      20549 </font></b> </font></td>
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      <td align="center"> <font size="2"><b><font size="3" face="serif">FORM
              S-8<br>
      </font></b></font><font size="2"><b><font face="serif">REGISTRATION STATEMENT<br>
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</font></b></font></td>
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      <td align="center"><hr align=center width=15% size=1 noshade color="#000000"></td>
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      <td align="center"><font size="2"><b><font size="3" face="serif">MCI, INC. <br>
      </font></b></font><font size="1"><b><font face="serif">(Exact Name of Registrant
      as specified in its charter) </font></b></font><font size="2">&nbsp; </font></td>
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      <td align="center">&nbsp;</td>
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      <TD width="50%"><font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">Delaware</FONT></B></font></TD>
      <TD width="50%"><font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">58-1521612</FONT></B></font></TD>
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      <TD width="50%"><font size="1"><FONT face="serif">(State or other jurisdiction
            of<br>
      incorporation or organization)</FONT>    </font></TD>
      <TD width="50%"><FONT size=1 face="serif">(I.R.S. Employer<br>
      Identification No.)    </FONT></TD>
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      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
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      <TD colspan="2"><P align="center"><font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">22001
                Loudoun County Parkway<br>
        </FONT></B><B><FONT face="serif">Ashburn, VA 20147<br>
        </FONT></B></font> <FONT size=1 face="serif">(Address including zip code
        of Principal Executive Offices) </FONT> </P>      </TD>
    </TR>
    <TR align="center">
      <TD colspan="2">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TR align="center">
      <TD colspan="2"><font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">MCI, INC. 2003 EMPLOYEE
              STOCK PURCHASE PLAN<br>
      </FONT></B></font><FONT size=1 face="serif">(Full title of the plan)</FONT></TD>
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    <TR align="center">
      <TD colspan="2"><hr align=center width=15% size=1 noshade color="#000000"></TD>
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      <TD colspan="2"><font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">Anastasia D. Kelly,
              Esq.<br>
      </FONT></B></font><font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">MCI, Inc.<br>
      </FONT></B></font><font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B><FONT face="serif">Executive
      Vice President and<br>
General Counsel<br>
22001 Loudoun County Parkway<br>
Ashburn, VA 20147<br>
703-886-5977 </FONT></B></font></TD>
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      <TD colspan="2"><hr align=center width=15% size=1 noshade color="#000000"></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR align="center">
      <TD colspan="2"><FONT size=1 face="serif">(Name, address and telephone
      number, including area code, of agent for service) </FONT></TD>
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      <TD colspan="2"><hr align=center width=15% size=1 noshade color="#000000"></TD>
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      <TD colspan="2"><font size="2"><B><I><FONT size="1" face="serif">Copy to:<br>
      </FONT></I></B></font><font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B><FONT face="serif">Barbara
      Nims, Esq.<br>
Davis Polk &amp; Wardwell<br>
450 Lexington Avenue<br>
New York, New York 10017<br>
212-450-4000 </FONT></B> </font></TD>
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    <TD colspan="5" align="center"><font size="1">&nbsp;</font><font size="1">&nbsp;</font><font size="2"><B></B></font><font size="1"> <font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">CALCULATION
    OF REGISTRATION FEE</FONT></B> </font></font></TD>
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    <TD width="40%" align="center"><font size="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B><FONT face="serif">Title
            of Securities to be Registered</FONT></B></font></TD>
    <TD width="15%" align="center"><font size="2"><B><font size="2"><B><FONT size="1" face="serif">Amount
                to be</FONT></B></font><br>
                <FONT size="1" face="serif">Registered
            (1)</FONT></B></font></TD>
    <TD width="15%" align="center"><font size="2"><B><font size="2"><B><font size="1">Proposed<br>
        <FONT face="serif">Maximum Offering</FONT></font></B></font><font size="1"><br>
                <FONT face="serif">Price
            Per Share (2)</FONT></font></B></font></TD>
    <TD width="15%" align="center"><B><FONT size="1" face="serif">Proposed
Maximum<br>
Aggregate<br>
    Offering Price (2)</FONT></B></font></TD>
    <TD width="15%" align="center"><font size="2"><B><FONT size="1" face="serif">Amount
                of<br>
                Registration
            Fee</FONT></B></font></TD>
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    <TD width="40%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Common stock (par value $0.01 per<br>
    share) (&#147;Common Stock&#148;) (3)</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="15%" align="center"><FONT size=2 face="serif">2,200,000</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="15%" align="center"><FONT size=2 face="serif">$13.00</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="15%" align="center"><FONT size=2 face="serif">$28,600,000</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="15%" align="center"><FONT size=2 face="serif">$3,623.62</FONT></TD>
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    <td width="5%"><font size=2 face="serif">(1) </font></td>
    <td width="95%"><font size=2 face="serif">Plus an indeterminate number
        of additional shares which may be offered and issued to prevent dilution
    resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. </font> </td>
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    <td width="5%"><font size=2 face="serif">(2) </font></td>
    <td width="95%"><font size=2 face="serif">Estimated pursuant to Rule
        457(h) and Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;1933
        Act&#148;), solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee,
        based on the average of the high and low prices of the securities being
    registered hereby on the NASDAQ on May 4, 2004. </font> </td>
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    <td><font size=2 face="serif">(3) </font></td>
    <td> <font size=2 face="serif">This Registration Statement also pertains
        to a right to purchase from the company one share of Common Stock (&#147;Right&#148;)
        at a price of $75.00 per share, subject to certain adjustments. The description
        and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement, dated as
        of April 20, 2004 (the &#147;Rights Agreement&#148;), by and between
    the registrant and The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent.</font> </td>
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<P align="center"> <font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">PART I </FONT></B> </font></P>
<P align="center"> <font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION
        10(a) PROSPECTUS </FONT></B> </font></P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif">The information
      specified in Item 1 and Item 2 of Part I of the Registration Statement
      on Form S-8 (the &#147;Registration Statement&#148;) is omitted from this
      filing in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428 under the 1933 Act
      and the introductory note to Part I of the Registration Statement. The
      documents containing the information specified in Part I will be delivered
      to the participants in the plan covered by this Registration Statement
      as required by Rule 428(b)(1). </FONT></font> </P>
<P align="center"> <font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">PART II </FONT></B> </font></P>
<P align="center"> <font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">INFORMATION REQUIRED
        IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT </FONT></B> </font></P>
<P> <font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY
        REFERENCE </FONT></B> </font></P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif">The following
      documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;)
      by MCI, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) pursuant to the Securities Exchange
      Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;1934 Act&#148;), are incorporated herein
      by reference. </FONT></font> </P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif"></FONT></font><FONT size=2 face="serif">(1) The Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K
    for the year ended December 31, 2003. </FONT> </P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif"></FONT></font><FONT size=2 face="serif">(2) All reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a)
    or 15(d) of the 1934 Act since December 31, 2003. </FONT> </P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif">(3) The descriptions
      of the Company&#146;s capital stock and the Rights, which are contained
      in the Company&#146;s registration statements on Form 8-A, filed on April
      21, 2004, including any amendments or supplements thereto.</FONT></font> </P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif">All documents
      subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
      and 15(d) of the 1934 Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
      which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters
      all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated
      by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of
      such documents. </FONT></font> </P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif">Any statement
      contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
      herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this
      Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein,
      (or in any other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated
      or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein), modifies or supersedes
      such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not
      be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of
      this Registration Statement. </FONT></font> </P>
<P> <font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES </FONT></B> </font></P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif"></FONT></font><FONT size=2 face="serif">Not applicable </FONT> </P>
<P> <font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">ITEM 5. INTEREST OF NAMED EXPERTS AND
        COUNSEL </FONT></B> </font></P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif">Anastasia
      D. Kelly, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, has given her opinion
      about certain legal matters affecting the shares of the Company&#146;s
      common stock registered under this Registration Statement. Ms. Kelly owns,
      or has the right to acquire, a number of shares of the Company&#146;s common
      stock which represents less than 1% of the total outstanding common stock
      of the Company. </FONT></font> </P>
<P> <font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
        AND OFFICERS </FONT></B> </font></P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif">Reference
      is made to Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the &#147;DGCL&#148;),
      which enables a corporation in its certificate of incorporation to eliminate
      or limit the personal liability of a director for violations of the director&#146;s
      fiduciary duty, except (i) for breach of the director&#146;s duty of loyalty
      to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not
      in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation
      of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL (providing for liability
      of directors for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases
      or redemptions) or (iv) for any transaction from which a director derived </FONT></font> </P>
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<P> <FONT size=2 face="serif">an improper personal benefit, and provided that
    no such provision eliminates or limits the liability of a director for any
    act or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision becomes effective.
    The Company&#146;s amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains
    a provision eliminating the personal liability of a director of the Company
    either to the Company or to any stockholder for monetary damages for breach
    of fiduciary duty as a director to the full extent of Section 102(b)(7) of
    the DGCL.</FONT> </P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif">Reference
      is made to Section 145 of the DGCL, which provides that a corporation may
      indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and agents
      against expenses (including attorney&#146;s fees), judgments, fines and
      amounts paid in settlement in connection with specified actions, suits
      or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
      (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation (a &#147;derivative
      action&#148;)) if they act in good faith and in a manner they reasonably
      believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation
      and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable
      cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable
      in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification only extends
      to expenses (including attorney&#146;s fees) incurred in connection with
      defense or settlement of such action, and the statute requires court approval
      before there can be indemnification that may be granted by a corporation&#146;s
      charter, by-laws, disinterested director vote, stockholder vote, agreement
      or otherwise. The Company&#146;s amended and restated certificate of incorporation
      contains a provision providing that the Company shall indemnify any director
      of the Company, and may indemnify any officer or employee of the Company
      who is not a director, who was or is a party or is threatened to be made
      a party to, or testifies in, any threatened, pending or completed action,
      suit or proceeding, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
      director, officer or employee of the Company, or is or was serving at the
      request of the Company as a director, officer or employee of another entity,
      to the full extent of Section 145 of the DGCL. Neither amendment nor repeal
      of this provision, nor the adoption of any provision that is inconsistent
      with this provision, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this provision
      in respect of any matter occurring prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption
      of an inconsistent provision. </FONT></font> </P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif">The Company&#146;s
      amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains a provision
      providing that the Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf
      of any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company,
      or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer
      or employee of another entity against any liability asserted against such
      person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out
      of such person&#146;s status as such, whether or not the Company would
      have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the
      provisions of the Company&#146;s amended and restated certificate of incorporation
      or otherwise. Neither amendment nor repeal of this provision, nor the adoption
      of any provision that is inconsistent with this provision, shall eliminate
      or reduce the effect of this provision in respect of any matter occurring
      prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision. </FONT></font> </P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif">In addition,
      under the Company&#146;s employment agreements with certain of its executive
      officers, it has agreed to maintain officer&#146;s liability insurance
      coverage in reasonable amounts during the terms of their respective employment
      agreements and to indemnify and hold them harmless to the fullest extent
      permitted under the Company&#146;s amended and restated certificate of
      incorporation, by-laws and applicable law in connection with any claim,
      suit or other proceeding brought or threatened to be brought by a third
      party (including a governmental or regulatory agency or body) relating
      to such individual&#146;s employment with the Company or its subsidiaries
      or affiliates. </FONT></font> </P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif">The Company
      has taken out a directors and officers liability policy for the benefit
      of its directors and officers. Subject to its terms, conditions and exclusions,
      the policy insures the directors and officers for claims made against them
      for wrongful acts committed by them in their capacities as directors and
      officers of the Company and its subsidiaries. </FONT></font> </P>
<P> <font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION
        CLAIMED </FONT></B> </font></P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif"></FONT></font><FONT size=2 face="serif">Not applicable. </FONT> </P>
<P> <font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">ITEM 8. EXHIBITS</FONT></B></font></P>
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    <td width="5%">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="5%"><font size=2 face="serif">4.1 </font></td>
    <td width="90%"><font size=2 face="serif">Amended and Restated Certificate
        of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
    the Form 8-A, Commission File No. 000-11258, filed on April 21, 2004). </font> </td>
  </tr>
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<P align="center"> <FONT size=2 face="serif">2 </FONT> </P>
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    <td width="5%">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="5%"><font size=2 face="serif">4.2 </font></td>
    <td width="90%"><font size=2 face="serif">By-Laws (incorporated herein
        by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Form 8-A, Commission File No. 000-11258,
    filed on April 21, 2004). </font> </td>
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  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td width="5%">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="5%">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="90%">&nbsp;</td>
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    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">4.3 </font></td>
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">Rights Agreement (incorporated herein by
    reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form 8-A, Commission File No.</font>  <font size=2 face="serif">000-11258,
    filed on April 21, 2004). </font> </td>
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    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
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    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">5 </font></td>
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">Opinion of Anastasia D. Kelly, Esq.</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
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    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">23.1 </font></td>
    <td><font size=2 face="serif"> Consent of KPMG LLP. </font> </td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
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    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">23.2 </font></td>
    <td> <font size=2 face="serif">Consent of Anastasia D. Kelly, Esq. (included
    in Exhibit 5). </font> </td>
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  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
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    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">24 </font></td>
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">Powers of attorney (included on the signature
    pages hereof). </font> </td>
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  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
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    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">99.1</font></td>
    <td><font size=2 face="serif"> MCI, Inc. 2003 Employee Stock Purchase
    Plan.</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
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    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">99.2 </font></td>
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">First Amendment to the MCI, Inc. 2003
    Employee Stock Purchase Plan. </font> </td>
  </tr>
</table>

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<P> <font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">ITEM 9. REQUIRED UNDERTAKINGS </FONT></B> </font></P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif"></FONT></font><FONT size=2 face="serif">(a) The undersigned Company hereby undertakes: </FONT> </P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif">(1) To file,
      during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
      amendment to this Registration Statement to include any material information
      with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this
      Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this
      Registration Statement. </FONT></font> </P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif">(2) That,
      for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each such
      post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
      relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
      at that time shall be deemed to be the initial <I>bona fide</I> offering
      thereof. </FONT></font> </P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif">(3) To remove
      from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
      being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. </FONT></font> </P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif">(b) The undersigned
      Company hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
      under the 1933 Act, each filing of the Company&#146;s annual report pursuant
      to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act (and, where applicable,
      each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to
      Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act) that is incorporated by reference in this
      Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
      relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
      at that time shall be deemed to be the initial <I>bona fide</I> offering
      thereof. </FONT></font> </P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif">(c) Insofar
      as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act may be permitted
      to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant
      to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised
      that, in the opinion of the Commission, such indemnification is against
      public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
      In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
      (other than the payment by the company of expenses incurred or paid by
      a director, officer or controlling person of the Company in the successful
      defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director,
      officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,
      the Company will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
      settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction
      the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy
      as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication
      of such issue. </FONT></font> </P>
<P align="center"> <FONT size=2 face="serif">3 </FONT> </P>
<font size="2"><br>
<br>
</font>
<hr size=3 color=GRAY noshade>
<font size="2">
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<br>
<br>
</font>
<P align="center"> <font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">SIGNATURES </FONT></B> </font></P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif">Pursuant
      to the requirements of the 1933 Act, the Company certifies that it has
      reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
      filing this Registration Statement and has duly caused this Registration
      Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
      authorized, in the City of Ashburn, State of Virginia, on the 7th day of
      May, 2004. </FONT></font> </P>
<div align="right">
  <TABLE width="55%" border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0>
    <TR>
      <TD colspan=2><font size=2 face="serif">MCI , Inc.</font></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
    </TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
    </TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="10%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">By:</FONT></TD>
      <TD width="90%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ Robert T. Blakely</FONT></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD><hr align="left" width=60% size=1 noshade color="#000000">        </TD>
    </TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="10%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Name:</FONT></TD>
      <TD width="90%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Robert T. Blakely</FONT></TD>
    </TR>
    <TR>
      <TD width="10%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Title:</FONT></TD>
      <TD width="90%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD>
    </TR>
  </TABLE>
</div>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif">KNOW ALL
      MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below,
      constitutes and appoints, Anastasia D. Kelly his or her true and lawful
      attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
      to do any and all acts and things and execute, in the name of the undersigned,
      any and all instruments which said attorney-in-fact and agent may deem
      necessary or advisable in order to enable MCI, Inc. to comply with the
      Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;1933 Act&#148;), and any
      requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;)
      in respect thereof, in connection with the filing with the Commission of
      this Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the 1933 Act, including specifically
      but without limitation, power and authority to sign the name of the undersigned
      to such Registration Statement, and any amendments to such Registration
      Statement (including post-effective amendments), and to file the same with
      all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with
      the Commission, to sign any and all applications, registration statements,
      notices or other documents necessary or advisable to comply with applicable
      state securities laws, and to file the same, together with other documents
      in connection therewith with the appropriate state securities authorities,
      granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority
      to do and to perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary
      to be done in and about the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes
      as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
      all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute, may
      lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. </FONT></font> </P>
<P> <font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face="serif">Pursuant
      to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Registration Statement has been
      signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
      indicated. </FONT></font> </P>
<TABLE width="90%" border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%" align="center"><font size="1"><B><FONT face="serif"><u>Signature</u></FONT></B></font></TD>
    <TD align="center" width="40%"><font size="2"><B><FONT size="1" face="serif"><u>Title</u></FONT></B></font></TD>
    <TD align="center" width="25%"><u><font size="2"><b><font size="1" face="serif">Date</font></b></font></u></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ Michael D. Capellas</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="40%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Director, President and Chief Executive
        Officer</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><hr align="left" width=95% size=1 noshade color="#000000">      </TD>
    <TD width="40%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">(Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" width="25%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">May 7,
        2004</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Michael D. Capellas</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ Robert T. Blakely</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="40%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Chief Financial Officer (Principal
        Financial</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><hr align="left" width=95% size=1 noshade color="#000000"></TD>
    <TD width="40%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Officer)</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" width="25%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">May 7, 2004</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Robert T. Blakely</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><font size=2 face="serif">/s/ Eric Slusser</font></TD>
    <TD><FONT size=2 face="serif">Senior Vice President, Controller</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center"><FONT size=2 face="serif">May 7, 2004</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><hr align="left" width=95% size=1 noshade color="#000000"></TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><font size=2 face="serif">Eric Slusser</font></TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ Nicholas deB. Katzenbach</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size=2 face="serif">Chairman of the Board</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center"><FONT size=2 face="serif">May 7, 2004</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><hr align="left" width=95% size=1 noshade color="#000000"></TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Nicholas deB. Katzenbach</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ Dennis R. Beresford</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size=2 face="serif">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center"><FONT size=2 face="serif">May 7, 2004</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><hr align="left" width=95% size=1 noshade color="#000000"></TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Dennis R. Beresford</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="center"> <FONT size=2 face="serif">4</FONT> </P>
<font size="2"><br>
<br>
</font>
<hr size=3 color=GRAY noshade>
<font size="2">
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<!-- MARKER PAGE="sheet: 1; page: 1" -->
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
</font>
<TABLE width="90%" border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0>
  <TR>
    <TD align="center"><font size="1"><B><FONT face="serif"><u>Signature</u></FONT></B></font></TD>
    <TD align="center"><font size="2"><B><FONT size="1" face="serif"><u>Title</u></FONT></B></font></TD>
    <TD align="center"><u><font size="2"><b><font size="1" face="serif">Date</font></b></font></u></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ W. Grant Gregory</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center"><FONT size=2 face="serif">May 7, 2004</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><hr align="left" width=95% size=1 noshade color="#000000"></TD>
    <TD width="40%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">W. Grant Gregory</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="40%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ Judith Haberkorn</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center"><FONT size=2 face="serif">May 7, 2004</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><hr align="left" width=95% size=1 noshade color="#000000"></TD>
    <TD width="40%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Judith Haberkorn</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="40%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ Laurence E. Harris</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center"><FONT size=2 face="serif">May 7, 2004</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><hr align="left" width=95% size=1 noshade color="#000000"></TD>
    <TD width="40%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Laurence E. Harris</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="40%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ Eric Holder</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center"><FONT size=2 face="serif">May 7, 2004</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><hr align="left" width=95% size=1 noshade color="#000000"></TD>
    <TD width="40%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Eric Holder</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="40%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ Mark A. Neporent</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center"><FONT size=2 face="serif">May 7, 2004</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><hr align="left" width=95% size=1 noshade color="#000000"></TD>
    <TD width="40%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Mark A. Neporent</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="40%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ C.B. Rogers, Jr.</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center"><FONT size=2 face="serif">May 7, 2004</FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD width="35%"><hr align="left" width=95% size=1 noshade color="#000000"></TD>
    <TD width="40%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
    <TD colspan=2 width="59%"><FONT size=2 face="serif">C.B. Rogers, Jr.</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="25%" align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="center"> <FONT size=2 face="serif">5</FONT> </P>
<font size="2"><br>
<br>
</font>
<hr size=3 color=GRAY noshade>
<font size="2">
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<br>
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</font>
<P align="center"> <font size="2"><B><FONT face="serif">EXHIBIT INDEX</FONT></B></font></P>
<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td width="5%"><font size=2 face="serif">4.1 </font></td>
    <td width="95%"><font size=2 face="serif">Amended and Restated Certificate
        of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
    the Form 8-A, Commission File No. 000-11258, filed on April 21, 2004). </font> </td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td width="5%">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="95%">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">4.2 </font></td>
    <td> <font size=2 face="serif">By-Laws (incorporated herein by reference
        to Exhibit 3.2 to the Form 8-A, Commission File No. 000-11258, filed
    on April 21, 2004). </font> </td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">4.3 </font></td>
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">Rights Agreement (incorporated herein by
        reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form 8-A, Commission File No. 000-11258,
    filed on April 21, 2004). </font> </td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">5 </font></td>
    <td> <font size=2 face="serif">Opinion of Anastasia D. Kelly, Esq. </font> </td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">23.1 </font></td>
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">Consent of KPMG LLP. </font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">23.2 </font></td>
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">Consent of Anastasia D. Kelly, Esq. (included
    in Exhibit 5). </font> </td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">24 </font></td>
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">Powers of attorney (included on the signature
    pages hereof). </font> </td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">99.1 </font></td>
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">MCI, Inc. 2003 Employee Stock Purchase
    Plan. </font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td><font size=2 face="serif">99.2 </font></td>
    <td> <font size=2 face="serif">First Amendment to the MCI, Inc. 2003
    Employee Stock Purchase Plan. </font> </td>
  </tr>
  <tr align="left" valign="top">
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
    <td>&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
</table>

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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "may0504_s8-emp.htm", "secsgml_size_bytes": 43128}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "MCI INC", "cik": "0000723527", "assigned-sic": "4813", "irs-number": "581521612", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-115307", "film-number": "04790114"}, "business-address": {"street1": "500 CLINTON CENTER DRIVE", "city": "CLINTON", "state": "MS", "zip": "39056", "phone": "6014605600"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "MC INC", "date-changed": "20040420"}, {"former-conformed-name": "WORLDCOM INC", "date-changed": "20000501"}, {"former-conformed-name": "MCI WORLDCOM INC", "date-changed": "19980914"}]}
may0504_s8-emp
As filed with the Securities
          and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2004
Registration No.
            333-_____
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
      20549
FORM
              S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
MCI, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant
      as specified in its charter)
Delaware
58-1521612
(State or other jurisdiction
            of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
22001
                Loudoun County Parkway
Ashburn, VA 20147
(Address including zip code
        of Principal Executive Offices)
MCI, INC. 2003 EMPLOYEE
              STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
Anastasia D. Kelly,
              Esq.
MCI, Inc.
Executive
      Vice President and
General Counsel
22001 Loudoun County Parkway
Ashburn, VA 20147
703-886-5977
(Name, address and telephone
      number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Barbara
      Nims, Esq.
Davis Polk & Wardwell
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
212-450-4000
CALCULATION
    OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title
            of Securities to be Registered
Amount
                to be
Registered
            (1)
Proposed
Maximum Offering
Price
            Per Share (2)
Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price (2)
Amount
                of
Registration
            Fee
Common stock (par value $0.01 per
share) ("Common Stock") (3)
2,200,000
$13.00
$28,600,000
$3,623.62
(1)
Plus an indeterminate number
        of additional shares which may be offered and issued to prevent dilution
    resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
(2)
Estimated pursuant to Rule
        457(h) and Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933
        Act"), solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee,
        based on the average of the high and low prices of the securities being
    registered hereby on the NASDAQ on May 4, 2004.
(3)
This Registration Statement also pertains
        to a right to purchase from the company one share of Common Stock ("Right")
        at a price of $75.00 per share, subject to certain adjustments. The description
        and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement, dated as
        of April 20, 2004 (the "Rights Agreement"), by and between
    the registrant and The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION
        10(a) PROSPECTUS
The information
      specified in Item 1 and Item 2 of Part I of the Registration Statement
      on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") is omitted from this
      filing in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428 under the 1933 Act
      and the introductory note to Part I of the Registration Statement. The
      documents containing the information specified in Part I will be delivered
      to the participants in the plan covered by this Registration Statement
      as required by Rule 428(b)(1).
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED
        IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY
        REFERENCE
The following
      documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
      by MCI, Inc. (the "Company") pursuant to the Securities Exchange
      Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), are incorporated herein
      by reference.
(1) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
    for the year ended December 31, 2003.
(2) All reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a)
    or 15(d) of the 1934 Act since December 31, 2003.
(3) The descriptions
      of the Company's capital stock and the Rights, which are contained
      in the Company's registration statements on Form 8-A, filed on April
      21, 2004, including any amendments or supplements thereto.
All documents
      subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
      and 15(d) of the 1934 Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
      which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters
      all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated
      by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of
      such documents.
Any statement
      contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
      herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this
      Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein,
      (or in any other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated
      or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein), modifies or supersedes
      such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not
      be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of
      this Registration Statement.
ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
Not applicable
ITEM 5. INTEREST OF NAMED EXPERTS AND
        COUNSEL
Anastasia
      D. Kelly, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, has given her opinion
      about certain legal matters affecting the shares of the Company's
      common stock registered under this Registration Statement. Ms. Kelly owns,
      or has the right to acquire, a number of shares of the Company's common
      stock which represents less than 1% of the total outstanding common stock
      of the Company.
ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
        AND OFFICERS
Reference
      is made to Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL"),
      which enables a corporation in its certificate of incorporation to eliminate
      or limit the personal liability of a director for violations of the director's
      fiduciary duty, except (i) for breach of the director's duty of loyalty
      to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not
      in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation
      of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL (providing for liability
      of directors for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases
      or redemptions) or (iv) for any transaction from which a director derived
an improper personal benefit, and provided that
    no such provision eliminates or limits the liability of a director for any
    act or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision becomes effective.
    The Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains
    a provision eliminating the personal liability of a director of the Company
    either to the Company or to any stockholder for monetary damages for breach
    of fiduciary duty as a director to the full extent of Section 102(b)(7) of
    the DGCL.
Reference
      is made to Section 145 of the DGCL, which provides that a corporation may
      indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and agents
      against expenses (including attorney's fees), judgments, fines and
      amounts paid in settlement in connection with specified actions, suits
      or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
      (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation (a "derivative
      action")) if they act in good faith and in a manner they reasonably
      believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation
      and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable
      cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable
      in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification only extends
      to expenses (including attorney's fees) incurred in connection with
      defense or settlement of such action, and the statute requires court approval
      before there can be indemnification that may be granted by a corporation's
      charter, by-laws, disinterested director vote, stockholder vote, agreement
      or otherwise. The Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation
      contains a provision providing that the Company shall indemnify any director
      of the Company, and may indemnify any officer or employee of the Company
      who is not a director, who was or is a party or is threatened to be made
      a party to, or testifies in, any threatened, pending or completed action,
      suit or proceeding, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
      director, officer or employee of the Company, or is or was serving at the
      request of the Company as a director, officer or employee of another entity,
      to the full extent of Section 145 of the DGCL. Neither amendment nor repeal
      of this provision, nor the adoption of any provision that is inconsistent
      with this provision, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this provision
      in respect of any matter occurring prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption
      of an inconsistent provision.
The Company's
      amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains a provision
      providing that the Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf
      of any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company,
      or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer
      or employee of another entity against any liability asserted against such
      person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out
      of such person's status as such, whether or not the Company would
      have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the
      provisions of the Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation
      or otherwise. Neither amendment nor repeal of this provision, nor the adoption
      of any provision that is inconsistent with this provision, shall eliminate
      or reduce the effect of this provision in respect of any matter occurring
      prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.
In addition,
      under the Company's employment agreements with certain of its executive
      officers, it has agreed to maintain officer's liability insurance
      coverage in reasonable amounts during the terms of their respective employment
      agreements and to indemnify and hold them harmless to the fullest extent
      permitted under the Company's amended and restated certificate of
      incorporation, by-laws and applicable law in connection with any claim,
      suit or other proceeding brought or threatened to be brought by a third
      party (including a governmental or regulatory agency or body) relating
      to such individual's employment with the Company or its subsidiaries
      or affiliates.
The Company
      has taken out a directors and officers liability policy for the benefit
      of its directors and officers. Subject to its terms, conditions and exclusions,
      the policy insures the directors and officers for claims made against them
      for wrongful acts committed by them in their capacities as directors and
      officers of the Company and its subsidiaries.
ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION
        CLAIMED
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. EXHIBITS
4.1
Amended and Restated Certificate
        of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
    the Form 8-A, Commission File No. 000-11258, filed on April 21, 2004).
2
4.2
By-Laws (incorporated herein
        by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Form 8-A, Commission File No. 000-11258,
    filed on April 21, 2004).
4.3
Rights Agreement (incorporated herein by
    reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form 8-A, Commission File No.
000-11258,
    filed on April 21, 2004).
5
Opinion of Anastasia D. Kelly, Esq.
23.1
Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.2
Consent of Anastasia D. Kelly, Esq. (included
    in Exhibit 5).
24
Powers of attorney (included on the signature
    pages hereof).
99.1
MCI, Inc. 2003 Employee Stock Purchase
    Plan.
99.2
First Amendment to the MCI, Inc. 2003
    Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
ITEM 9. REQUIRED UNDERTAKINGS
(a) The undersigned Company hereby undertakes:
(1) To file,
      during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
      amendment to this Registration Statement to include any material information
      with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this
      Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this
      Registration Statement.
(2) That,
      for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each such
      post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
      relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
      at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering
      thereof.
(3) To remove
      from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
      being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned
      Company hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
      under the 1933 Act, each filing of the Company's annual report pursuant
      to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act (and, where applicable,
      each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to
      Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act) that is incorporated by reference in this
      Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
      relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
      at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering
      thereof.
(c) Insofar
      as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act may be permitted
      to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant
      to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised
      that, in the opinion of the Commission, such indemnification is against
      public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
      In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
      (other than the payment by the company of expenses incurred or paid by
      a director, officer or controlling person of the Company in the successful
      defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director,
      officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,
      the Company will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
      settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction
      the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy
      as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication
      of such issue.
3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
      to the requirements of the 1933 Act, the Company certifies that it has
      reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
      filing this Registration Statement and has duly caused this Registration
      Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
      authorized, in the City of Ashburn, State of Virginia, on the 7th day of
      May, 2004.
MCI , Inc.
By:
/s/ Robert T. Blakely
Name:
Robert T. Blakely
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
KNOW ALL
      MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below,
      constitutes and appoints, Anastasia D. Kelly his or her true and lawful
      attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
      to do any and all acts and things and execute, in the name of the undersigned,
      any and all instruments which said attorney-in-fact and agent may deem
      necessary or advisable in order to enable MCI, Inc. to comply with the
      Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and any
      requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
      in respect thereof, in connection with the filing with the Commission of
      this Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the 1933 Act, including specifically
      but without limitation, power and authority to sign the name of the undersigned
      to such Registration Statement, and any amendments to such Registration
      Statement (including post-effective amendments), and to file the same with
      all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with
      the Commission, to sign any and all applications, registration statements,
      notices or other documents necessary or advisable to comply with applicable
      state securities laws, and to file the same, together with other documents
      in connection therewith with the appropriate state securities authorities,
      granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority
      to do and to perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary
      to be done in and about the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes
      as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
      all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute, may
      lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant
      to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Registration Statement has been
      signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
      indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Michael D. Capellas
Director, President and Chief Executive
        Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
May 7,
        2004
Michael D. Capellas
/s/ Robert T. Blakely
Chief Financial Officer (Principal
        Financial
Officer)
May 7, 2004
Robert T. Blakely
/s/ Eric Slusser
Senior Vice President, Controller
May 7, 2004
Eric Slusser
/s/ Nicholas deB. Katzenbach
Chairman of the Board
May 7, 2004
Nicholas deB. Katzenbach
/s/ Dennis R. Beresford
Director
May 7, 2004
Dennis R. Beresford
4
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ W. Grant Gregory
Director
May 7, 2004
W. Grant Gregory
/s/ Judith Haberkorn
Director
May 7, 2004
Judith Haberkorn
/s/ Laurence E. Harris
Director
May 7, 2004
Laurence E. Harris
/s/ Eric Holder
Director
May 7, 2004
Eric Holder
/s/ Mark A. Neporent
Director
May 7, 2004
Mark A. Neporent
/s/ C.B. Rogers, Jr.
Director
May 7, 2004
C.B. Rogers, Jr.
5
EXHIBIT INDEX
4.1
Amended and Restated Certificate
        of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
    the Form 8-A, Commission File No. 000-11258, filed on April 21, 2004).
4.2
By-Laws (incorporated herein by reference
        to Exhibit 3.2 to the Form 8-A, Commission File No. 000-11258, filed
    on April 21, 2004).
4.3
Rights Agreement (incorporated herein by
        reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form 8-A, Commission File No. 000-11258,
    filed on April 21, 2004).
5
Opinion of Anastasia D. Kelly, Esq.
23.1
Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.2
Consent of Anastasia D. Kelly, Esq. (included
    in Exhibit 5).
24
Powers of attorney (included on the signature
    pages hereof).
99.1
MCI, Inc. 2003 Employee Stock Purchase
    Plan.
99.2
First Amendment to the MCI, Inc. 2003
    Employee Stock Purchase Plan.