MCI and Sprint said they’ll match AT&T; rate cuts.

Responding to an announcement that AT&T; will cut its long-distance rates 4.8% on July 1 to offset a government-ordered increase in another charge paid by phone users, each company said it would follow suit to remain competitive. Neither MCI Communications Corp. nor542462752much the rates will be cut. In the past, both MCI and Sprint, the second- and third-largest long-distance companies, respectively, have responded to AT&T;’s previous rate reductions to keep their rates lower than the industry leader.