April 5th has been set as a deadline by Qwest, for MCI to accept its $8.45bn offer. The only problem is that the MCI board does not want it.

Qwest CEO Richard Notebaert has written yet another letter to the MCI board asking it to reconsider.

The bid at $8.45bn is indeed higher than rival bidder Verizon at only $6.7bn. However Verizons bid is made up of shares and cash. Strategically moving in with Verizon is seen as the better move. Especially if you always carry the tag of "formerly WorldCom"

Hence the rejection of Qwest (they say ignoring of Qwest)

Notebaert cites disgruntled shareholders when he says "statements of various MCI stockholders clearly indicated that may MCI stockholders have found our proposal superior to the Verizon offer."

He ends with the potentially deal killing statement regarding Qwest not changing its mind, "executed an agreement on or before midnight April 5, 2005, our offer will be withdrawn".

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