MCI and US Sprint plan to match AT&T; cuts.

The No. 2 and No. 3 long-distance carriers, respectively, responded to this week’s 11.2% rate cut ordered by the Federal Communications Commission for the market leader. But the FCC decision came too late to enable the two competitors to trim tariffs until later this month. MCI and Sprint’s prices generally range from 10% to 35% below AT&T;’s. AT&T; also announced that its tolls within California are falling 4.5% as of today, combining two previously reported Public Utilities Commission decisions. These trimmed the cost of a five-minute daytime direct-dial call between Los Angeles or San Diego and San Francisco to $1.56 from $1.77.