PASADENA, Calif. (Dow Jones News) -- EarthLink Network Inc., a provider of Internet access to consumers, said Wednesday it will offer faster access to the Web nationwide as part of an agreement MCI WorldCom Inc.

EarthLink plans to use the digital subscribe line network, or DSL, of UUNet, a unit of MCI WorldCom, to offer the service. DSL uses standard phone wires and is as much as 30 times faster than dial-up modems.EarthLink, of Pasadena, Calif., plans to charge $40 a month to $60 a month for the service.

The company plans to test the service, EarthLink Sprint DSL, during the third quarter in Dallas, Minneapolis and Charlotte. It hopes to have it available in major metropolitan areas by the end of the year.

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