SkyTel Buy OKd

MCI WorldCom Inc., the No. 2 U.S. long-distance telephone company, won federal regulatory approval for its planned purchase of SkyTel Communications Inc., the No. 2 paging company, for $1.75 billion in stock and assumed debt. The Federal Communications Commission ruled the transaction is in the public interest. No oppositions to the merger were filed, an agency spokeswoman said. Shareholders of SkyTel are to vote on the acquisition Sept. 29. On Nasdaq, MCI WorldCom shares fell $3.06 to close at $78.31, and SkyTel fell 44 cents to close at $20. Both companies are based in Jackson, Miss.