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                                                                      EXHIBIT 99

WORLD ACCESS COMPLETES MERGER WITH FACILICOM INTERNATIONAL

         Annual Revenue Run Rate of ILD Traffic Now Exceeds $1 Billion;
  FaciliCom's State-of-the-Art Network Provides Foundation for European Retail,
                           Data and Internet Services;
  Company Ideally Poised to Capitalize on the Consolidation of the ILD Industry

         ATLANTA, Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- World Access, Inc. (Nasdaq: WAXS)
announced today that it has completed its merger with FaciliCom International,
Inc., following the receipt of stockholder approval at the Company's special
stockholders meeting held earlier today. The combined company now has carrier
grade switching and transport network facilities located strategically
throughout the U.S. and 13 European countries to facilitate entry into
deregulating retail markets worldwide. FaciliCom, a leading facilities-based
provider of European and U.S. originated international long-distance voice, data
and Internet services, will continue to operate under the FaciliCom name
throughout Europe.

         John D. Phillips, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of World Access
said, "This merger positions World Access as a leading player in the
international long distance ("ILD") market. With one of the most extensive and
highest quality switching and transport networks in Europe, as well as
significant traffic volumes and scale, we are ideally positioned to capitalize
on the rapid consolidation expected to take place in the ILD market. Our
objective is to become a premier provider of bundled voice, data and Internet
services to small and medium enterprise ("SME") markets throughout Europe and
other strategic regions of the world. We intend to leverage our network capacity
to actively pursue the expansion of our international retail operations through
acquisitions of ILD providers and Internet Service Providers ("ISP's") and
internal growth."

         Walter J. Burmeister, President and Founder of FaciliCom, will be named
President of World Access at a Board of Directors meeting to be held later this
week. Mr. Burmeister commented, "Together we now have the management and
financial resources to leverage our extensive network and rapidly expand our
business, both in the retail ILD sector as well as data and Internet services.
In addition, as the largest non-incumbent wholesale provider in the world, our
combined traffic volume and significant scale provides us with a tremendous
platform for integrating future acquisitions. We expect to aggressively pursue
attractive acquisition targets as we execute our strategy of providing bundled
voice, data and Internet services to SME customers."

         The shareholders of FaciliCom received approximately $370 million of
Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C ("Preferred Stock") and $56 million in
cash. The Preferred Stock bears no dividend and is convertible into shares of
World Access common stock at a conversion rate of $20.38 per common share,
subject to potential adjustment under certain circumstances. If the closing
trading price of World Access common stock exceeds $20.38 per share for 60
consecutive trading days, the Preferred Stock will automatically convert into
common stock. The holders of the Preferred Stock will vote on an as-converted
basis with the holders of World Access common stock.

         As a result of the merger, the Armstrong Group of Companies,
FaciliCom's majority shareholder, is now the largest shareholder of World
Access, with approximately 20% of outstanding voting rights. Armstrong is a
diversified, privately held group of companies that own and operate cable
television systems, independent telephone companies, international
telecommunications companies, real estate companies, a residential and
commercial security company and various other businesses. MCI WorldCom, Inc.,
previously World Access' largest shareholder, now owns approximately 9% of
outstanding common shares.

         As part of the merger transaction, World Access has issued $300 million
of its 13.25% Senior Notes due 2008, in exchange for all outstanding FaciliCom

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Senior Notes.

         Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette served as advisor to World Access with
respect to the transaction.

         World Access provides international long distance services and
proprietary network equipment to the global telecommunications markets. The
World Access Telecommunications Group competitively provides end-to-end
communications services through its redundant digital network which is capable
of supporting voice and data services, including frame relay, Internet Protocol
(IP), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) and multimedia applications. Located
strategically throughout the US and 13 European countries, World Access's
network backbone consists of gateway and tandem switches, linked by an extensive
fiber network encompassing tens of millions of circuit miles. The World Access
Equipment Group develops, manufactures and markets intelligent multiplexers,
digital microwave radio systems, digital switches, billing and network
telemanagement systems, cellular base stations, fixed wireless local loop
systems and other telecommunications network products. For additional
information regarding World Access and its divisions, please refer to the
Company's website at http://www.waxs.com.

         This press release may contain financial projections or other
forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the
Securities Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties
which may cause actual results to differ materially. These risks include:
potential inability to identify, complete and integrate acquisitions;
difficulties in expanding into new business activities; delays in new product
developments or introductions; the potential termination of certain service
agreements or the inability to enter into additional service agreements; and
other risks described in the Company's SEC filings, including the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1999, June
30, 1999 and September 30, 1999 and the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (No. 333-43497), as such filings have been amended, all of which are
incorporated by reference into this press release.

         CONTACT: Investor Relations of World Access, Inc., 404-231-2025