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(11)

EP 0 993 731 A1

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(43) Date of publication: 19.04.2000 Bulletin 2000/16 (21) Application number: 98930265.8 (22) Date of filing: 16.06.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H04M 3/50 (86) International application number: PCT/US9812/473 (87) International publication number: WO 9900/966 (07.01.1999 Gazette 1999/01)

(84) Designated Contracting States: BE CH DE FR GB IE IT LI NL SE (30) Priority: 30.06.1997 US 884805 (71) Applicant: MCI Worldcom, Inc. Jackson, MS 39201 (US)	(72) Inventor: MUMFORD, Gregory, L. Marion, IA 52302 (US) (74) Representative: Rupp, Christian, Dipl.Phys. et al Mitscherlich & PartnerPatent- und RechtsanwälteSonnenstrasse 33 80331 München 80331 München (DE)