Shareholders representing 11% of MCI, the US telecoms group formerly known as WorldCom, are opposed to the company's plan to be taken over by larger rival Verizon for $6.75bn (€5.2bn).

Three of MCI's top shareholders have spoken out against the cash-and-shares deal agreed yesterday when MCI chose Verizon despite a higher offer from Qwest, another US telecoms group. Verizon is larger and has a much stronger balance sheet than Qwest.