The board of MCI met yesterday to discuss its merger plans and is expected to continue its deliberations today. Any final decision on whether or not to change its decision to accept a $6.75bn takeover offer from Verizon Communications is not expected until next week, people familiar with the situation said.

MCI, the second-largest long-distance telephone company, has accepted the Verizon offer and rejected a higher takeover bid from smaller rival Qwest Communications.