<PAGE>   1
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                             ---------------------
 
                                   FORM 10-Q
 
<TABLE>
<C>               <S>
   (MARK ONE)
      [X]         QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
                  THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                  FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998.
                                               OR
      [  ]        TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
                  THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                  FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ____________ TO ____________.
</TABLE>
 
                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-29782
 
                               WORLD ACCESS, INC.
                              (formerly WAXS INC.)
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                    <C>
                      DELAWARE                                         58-2398004
              (State of Incorporation)                    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
        945 E. PACES FERRY ROAD, SUITE 2240,                              30326
                  ATLANTA, GEORGIA                                     (Zip Code)
      (Address of principal executive offices)
</TABLE>
 
                                 (404) 231-2025
                        (Registrant's telephone number)
 
          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
                                      NONE
 
          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
 
                     COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE
 
     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes [X] No [ ]
 
     The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's common stock, par
value $.01 per share, at November 19, 1998 was 25,797,167.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
                                     PART 1
 
                             FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                      WORLD ACCESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              SEPTEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                                  1998            1997
                                                              -------------   ------------
                                                               (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                           <C>             <C>
                                          ASSETS
Current Assets
  Cash and equivalents......................................  $ 58,492,471    $118,065,045
  Marketable securities.....................................     3,500,000              --
  Accounts receivable.......................................    46,683,986      20,263,971
  Inventories...............................................    47,324,555      22,426,918
  Other current assets......................................    18,495,438      10,923,723
                                                              ------------    ------------
          Total Current Assets..............................   174,496,450     171,679,657
Property and equipment......................................    19,126,900       5,704,585
Goodwill....................................................    80,685,072      31,660,201
Other assets................................................    37,167,277      16,238,298
                                                              ------------    ------------
          Total Assets......................................  $311,475,699    $225,282,741
                                                              ============    ============
 
                           LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
  Short-term debt...........................................  $  2,506,964    $     81,739
  Accounts payable..........................................    31,612,547       9,339,588
  Other accrued liabilities.................................    16,088,760       8,508,698
                                                              ------------    ------------
          Total Current Liabilities.........................    50,208,271      17,930,025
Long-term debt..............................................   122,557,513     115,263,984
Noncurrent liabilities......................................     1,831,783         333,802
Minority interests..........................................    13,532,913              --
                                                              ------------    ------------
          Total Liabilities.................................   188,130,480     133,527,811
                                                              ------------    ------------
Stockholders' Equity
  Common stock..............................................       228,032         193,062
  Capital in excess of par value............................   151,018,831      84,162,478
  Retained earnings (deficit)...............................   (27,901,644)      7,399,390
                                                              ------------    ------------
          Total Stockholders' Equity........................   123,345,219      91,754,930
                                                              ------------    ------------
          Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity........  $311,475,699    $225,282,741
                                                              ============    ============
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   3
 
                      WORLD ACCESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                THREE MONTHS ENDED           NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                   SEPTEMBER 30,               SEPTEMBER 30,
                                             -------------------------   --------------------------
                                                1998          1997           1998          1997
                                             -----------   -----------   ------------   -----------
<S>                                          <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>
Sales of products..........................  $46,140,852   $21,184,617   $115,970,662   $56,098,923
Service revenues...........................    7,719,575     6,268,516     21,127,888    15,621,712
                                             -----------   -----------   ------------   -----------
       Total sales.........................   53,860,427    27,453,133    137,098,550    71,720,635
Cost of products sold......................   25,019,016    12,315,911     64,030,736    33,810,721
Cost of services...........................    5,868,210     4,742,527     18,057,408    12,831,790
                                             -----------   -----------   ------------   -----------
       Total cost of sales.................   30,887,226    17,058,438     82,088,144    46,642,511
                                             -----------   -----------   ------------   -----------
       Gross profit........................   22,973,201    10,394,695     55,010,406    25,078,124
Engineering and development................    1,797,728       605,220      4,379,655     1,350,225
Selling, general and administrative........    5,797,180     2,507,714     13,733,448     6,860,228
Amortization of goodwill...................    1,130,394       545,632      3,012,765     1,210,167
In-process research and development........           --            --     50,000,000            --
Special charges............................           --            --      3,240,000            --
                                             -----------   -----------   ------------   -----------
       Operating income (loss).............   14,247,899     6,736,129    (19,355,462)   15,657,504
Interest and other income..................      905,696       246,049      2,876,434       834,595
Interest expense...........................   (1,620,354)      (45,315)    (4,650,843)      (94,558)
                                             -----------   -----------   ------------   -----------
       Income (loss) before income taxes
          and minority interests...........   13,533,241     6,936,863    (21,129,871)   16,397,541
Income taxes...............................    5,413,000     2,566,000     11,548,249     5,986,000
                                             -----------   -----------   ------------   -----------
       Income (loss) before minority
          interests........................    8,120,241     4,370,863    (32,678,120)   10,411,541
Minority interests in earnings of
  subsidiary...............................    1,090,576            --      2,622,914            --
                                             -----------   -----------   ------------   -----------
       Net income (loss)...................  $ 7,029,665   $ 4,370,863   $(35,301,034)  $10,411,541
                                             ===========   ===========   ============   ===========
Net income (loss) per common share:
  Basic....................................  $       .33   $       .22   $      (1.74)  $       .56
                                             ===========   ===========   ============   ===========
  Diluted..................................  $       .32   $       .22   $      (1.74)  $       .55
                                             ===========   ===========   ============   ===========
Weighted average shares outstanding:
  Basic....................................   21,248,665    19,599,538     20,345,894    18,561,230
                                             ===========   ===========   ============   ===========
  Diluted..................................   25,144,413    20,224,016     20,345,894    19,075,743
                                             ===========   ===========   ============   ===========
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
                      WORLD ACCESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         CAPITAL IN      RETAINED
                                              COMMON     EXCESS OF       EARNINGS
                                              STOCK      PAR VALUE      (DEFICIT)        TOTAL
                                             --------   ------------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                          <C>        <C>            <C>            <C>
Balance at January 1, 1998.................  $193,062   $ 84,162,478   $  7,399,390   $ 91,754,930
Net loss...................................                             (35,301,034)   (35,301,034)
Issuance of 1,429,907 shares for NACT
  acquisition..............................    14,299     26,867,953                    26,882,252
Issuance of stock options for NACT
  acquisition..............................                8,359,737                     8,359,737
Issuance of 633,982 shares for ATI
  acquisition..............................     6,340      6,508,200                     6,514,540
Release of 160,380 shares for CIS
  acquisition..............................                3,067,268                     3,067,268
Release of 100,000 shares for Westec
  acquisition..............................                2,205,000                     2,205,000
Issuance of 1,427,668 shares for stock
  options and warrants.....................    14,277      8,087,023                     8,101,300
Tax benefit from exercises of stock
  options and warrants.....................               11,614,400                    11,614,400
Issuance of 5,415 shares for matching
  contribution to 401K plan................        54        146,772                       146,826
                                             --------   ------------   ------------   ------------
Balance at September 30, 1998..............  $228,032   $151,018,831   $(27,901,644)  $123,345,219
                                             ========   ============   ============   ============
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
                      WORLD ACCESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                              -------------------------------
                                                                   1998             1997
                                                              --------------    -------------
<S>                                                           <C>               <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)...........................................   $(35,301,034)     $10,411,541
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from
  (used by) operating activities:
  Depreciation and amortization.............................      5,298,680        1,977,681
  Income tax benefit from stock warrants and options........     11,614,400        5,468,000
  Special charges...........................................     54,826,133               --
  Minority interests in earnings of subsidiary..............      2,622,914               --
  Provision for inventory reserves..........................        223,750          353,002
  Provision for bad debts...................................        555,816          142,755
  Stock contributed to employee benefit plan................        146,826           69,013
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of
     effects from businesses acquired:
     Accounts receivable....................................    (17,992,038)     (10,950,072)
     Inventories............................................    (22,226,463)      (8,427,898)
     Accounts payable.......................................     17,626,278        1,875,824
     Other assets and liabilities...........................     (9,822,345)      (5,062,296)
                                                               ------------      -----------
          Net cash from (used by) operating activities......      7,572,917       (4,142,450)
                                                               ------------      -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of businesses..................................    (69,026,988)      (5,294,398)
Expenditures for property and equipment.....................     (8,529,612)      (1,856,681)
Software development costs..................................     (3,137,697)              --
Loan repayments by affiliate................................             --        1,165,000
Loans to business partners..................................     (2,800,000)              --
                                                               ------------      -----------
          Net cash used by investing activities.............    (83,494,297)      (5,986,079)
                                                               ------------      -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Short-term debt borrowings (repayments).....................      2,353,754         (567,867)
Proceeds from exercise of stock warrants and options........      8,101,300        3,977,981
Long-term debt repayments...................................     (1,260,752)              --
Issuance of long-term debt..................................      7,365,000          359,015
Debt issuance costs.........................................       (210,496)        (314,157)
                                                               ------------      -----------
          Net cash from financing activities................     16,348,806        3,454,972
                                                               ------------      -----------
Decrease in cash and equivalents............................    (59,572,574)      (6,673,557)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period.................    118,065,045       22,480,082
                                                               ------------      -----------
          Cash and equivalents at end of period.............   $ 58,492,471      $15,806,525
                                                               ============      ===========
Supplemental schedule of noncash financing and investing
  activities:
Issuance of common stock for businesses acquired............   $ 38,669,060      $13,174,742
Issuance of stock options for businesses acquired...........      8,359,737
Conversion of note receivable to investment in ATI..........      4,484,534
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
                      WORLD ACCESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
 
NOTE 1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
     The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of the Company and its subsidiary companies, all of which were
wholly-owned as of September 30, 1998 except NACT Telecommunications, Inc.
("NACT") of which the Company owns 67.3%. Minority interests represent the
minority stockholders proportionate share of NACT's equity. These financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q
and do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally
accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion
of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals)
considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim
periods covered have been included. On October 28, 1998, the Company consummated
its previously announced holding company reorganization pursuant to that certain
Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated as of February 24, 1998,
as amended, by and between the Company (formerly known as WAXS INC.), WA Telcom
Products Co., (formerly known as World Access, Inc., "Old World Access"), NACT,
and certain other parties (the "Holding Company Reorganization"). In accordance
with Delaware law, no action or vote by the Old World Access stockholders was
necessary to consummate the Holding Company Reorganization. As a consequence of
the Holding Company Reorganization, (i) the Old World Access stockholders became
stockholders of the Company and Old World Access, which was renamed "WA Telcom
Products Co., Inc.", became a direct wholly owned subsidiary of World Access and
(ii) the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of
NACT not already owned by Old World Access, whereupon NACT became a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company. As such, the Company is successor to Old World Access
and NACT. All references herein to the Company shall mean World Access, Inc. and
its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. For
further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and
footnotes included in Old World Access' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1997 and NACT's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1997.
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
     The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30,
1998 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year.
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period's financial
information to conform with the presentations used in 1998.
 
NOTE 2.  ACQUISITIONS
 
ATI ACQUISITION
 
     On December 24, 1997, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire
Advanced TechCom, Inc. ("ATI"), a Wilmington, Massachusetts based designer and
manufacturer of digital microwave and millimeterwave radio systems for voice,
data and/or video applications. On January 29, 1998, the transaction was
completed in its final form whereby ATI was merged with and into Cellular
Infrastructure Supply, Inc. ("CIS"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company
(the "ATI Merger").
 
     In connection with the ATI Merger, the stockholders of ATI received
approximately $300,000 in cash and 424,932 restricted shares of the Company's
common stock valued at approximately $6.5 million. The Company's policy is to
value restricted stock issued in acquisitions at the average market price of its
common stock for the three trading days prior and the three trading days
subsequent to the date economic terms of the acquisition are announced less a
discount to reflect the lack of marketability caused by trading restrictions,
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
                      WORLD ACCESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
size of the share issuances and other relevant factors. A discount factor of 30%
was used to value the 424,932 restricted shares, which was based on previous
sales of restricted Company common stock and independent studies regarding
discount attributable to lack of marketability. Management believes the discount
rate used to value these restricted shares was appropriate and reasonable.
 
     In addition to the shares noted above, the stockholders of ATI were issued
209,050 restricted shares of the Company's common stock. These shares were
immediately placed into escrow and will be released to the stockholders of ATI
contingent upon the realization of predefined levels of pre-tax income from
ATI's operations during calendar years 1998 and 1999. Upon issuance, the 209,050
escrowed shares were valued by the Company at par value only, or $2,091. As it
becomes probable that the conditions for release from escrow will be met, the
fair market value of the shares as measured at that time will be recorded as
additional goodwill and stockholders' equity, respectively.
 
     The acquisition of ATI has been accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting. Accordingly, the results of ATI's operations have been included in
the accompanying consolidated financial statements from January 29, 1998. The
purchase price was allocated to net assets acquired and to approximately $5.4
million of purchased in-process research and development ("R&D"). The excess of
purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired and purchased
in-process R&D, currently estimated at approximately $2.9 million, has been
recorded as goodwill and is being amortized over a 15 year period.
 
     Purchased in-process R&D, which consisted of the value of ATI products in
the development stage that were not considered to have reached technological
feasibility as of the date of the ATI Merger, was expensed in the first quarter
of 1998 in accordance with applicable accounting rules. See Management's
Discussion and Analysis.
 
NACT ACQUISITION
 
     In the fourth quarter of 1997, the Company began a three phase acquisition
of NACT, a Provo, Utah based single-source provider of advanced
telecommunications switching platforms with integrated telephony software
applications and network telemanagement capabilities. During November and
December 1997, the Company purchased 355,000 shares of NACT common stock in the
open market for approximately $5.0 million.
 
     On December 31, 1997, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement
with GST Telecommunications, Inc. ("GST") and GST USA, Inc. ("GST USA") to
acquire 5,113,712 shares of NACT common stock owned by GST USA, representing
approximately 63% of the outstanding shares of NACT (the "NACT Acquisition"). On
February 27, 1998, the NACT Acquisition was completed with GST USA receiving
$59.7 million in cash and 1,429,907 restricted shares of the Company's common
stock valued at approximately $26.9 million. These shares were valued at $18.80
per share, a 20% discount to the closing market price of Company common stock on
February 26, 1998. Management believes this valuation was appropriate and
reasonable based on the fact GST USA sold all 1,429,907 restricted shares at
$18.80 per share to an independent third party in a private transaction
completed on February 27, 1998.
 
     In addition, the Company issued 740,543 non-qualified options to purchase
Company common stock at $11.15 per share and 106,586 non-qualified options to
purchase Company common stock at $16.25 per share in exchange for substantially
all the options held by NACT employees, which became immediately vested in
connection with the NACT Acquisition. These options had an initial fair value of
approximately $8.4 million.
 
     The acquisition of the 67.3% majority interest in NACT has been accounted
for using the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, the results of NACT's
operations have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial
statements from February 27, 1998. The purchase price of the majority interest
in NACT was allocated to 67.3% of the net assets acquired and purchased
in-process R&D. The excess of purchase price over 67.3% of the fair value of net
assets acquired and purchased in-process R&D, currently
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
                      WORLD ACCESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
estimated at approximately $42.8 million, has been recorded as goodwill and is
being amortized over a 20 year period.
 
     On February 24, 1998, the Company entered into a merger agreement with NACT
pursuant to which the Company agreed to acquire all of the shares of NACT common
stock not already owned by the Company or GST USA (the "NACT Merger"). On
October 28, 1998, the NACT Merger was completed whereby the Company issued
2,790,182 shares of the Company's common stock valued at approximately $46.7
million for the remaining minority interest of NACT.
 
     During the first quarter of 1998, $44.6 million of purchased in-process
R&D, which consists of 67.3% of the value of NACT products in the development
stage that are not considered to have reached technological feasibility as of
the date of the NACT Acquisition, was expensed in accordance with applicable
accounting rules. The Company anticipates recording an additional charge of
approximately $20.0 million in the fourth quarter of 1998 representing the
estimated purchase price to be allocated to in-process research and development
in connection with the NACT Merger. See Management's Discussion and Analysis.
 
PRO FORMA RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     On a pro forma, unaudited basis, as if the acquisitions of ATI and NACT had
occurred as of January 1, 1997, total sales, operating income, net income and
diluted net income per common share for the nine months ended September 30, 1998
and 1997 would have been approximately $140.3 million and $104.6 million; $28.4
million and $14.8 million; $13.5 million and $8.5 million; and $0.58 and $0.40,
respectively. The pro forma results of operations for the nine months ended
September 30, 1998 would not have been materially different had the acquisitions
of AIT and NACT occurred on January 1, 1998.
 
     These unaudited pro forma results have been prepared for comparative
purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations
which would actually have occurred had the acquisitions been in effect on the
date indicated. The portion of the ATI and NACT purchase prices allocated to
purchased in-process R&D expensed in accordance with applicable accounting rules
will not recur, therefore the pro forma results have been prepared excluding
these charges.
 
NOTE 3.  INVENTORIES
 
     Inventories consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             SEPTEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                                 1998            1997
                                                             -------------   ------------
<S>                                                          <C>             <C>
Switching systems, frames and related circuit boards.......   $26,565,243    $13,445,770
Transport and access products..............................     4,203,712        779,674
Electronic components......................................    10,420,549      4,879,213
Pay telephone parts........................................     2,344,021      1,332,835
Work in progress...........................................     3,312,452      1,744,368
Other finished goods.......................................       478,578        245,058
                                                              -----------    -----------
                                                              $47,324,555    $22,426,918
                                                              ===========    ===========
</TABLE>
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
                      WORLD ACCESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 4.  GOODWILL
 
     Goodwill from acquisitions, representing the excess of purchase price paid
over the value of net assets acquired and purchased in-process R&D, was as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             SEPTEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                                 1998            1997
                                                             -------------   ------------
<S>                                                          <C>             <C>
NACT.......................................................   $42,752,140    $        --
CIS........................................................    17,552,506     12,485,239
AIT........................................................    10,657,917     11,557,917
Galaxy.....................................................     5,089,265      5,089,265
ATI........................................................     2,912,356             --
Other......................................................     7,239,062      5,034,062
                                                              -----------    -----------
                                                               86,203,246     34,166,483
Accumulated amortization...................................    (5,518,174)    (2,506,282)
                                                              -----------    -----------
                                                              $80,685,072    $31,660,201
                                                              ===========    ===========
</TABLE>
 
     Goodwill is being amortized on a straight-line basis over a 15 to 20 year
period. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121,
"Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to
Be Disposed Of", the Company regularly reviews the projected future cash flows
from operations of each of the acquired businesses to assess the recoverability
of goodwill. In the event that the Company deems permanent impairment of
goodwill has resulted, charges are recorded against current operations for the
impairment. No significant impairment charges have been recorded to date. See
Management's Discussion and Analysis.
 
NOTE 5.  DEBT
 
     The Company has a $10.0 million revolving line of credit with a large
European bank. As of September 30, 1998, the Company had borrowings of $2.4
million and letters of credit of approximately $7.5 million outstanding under
this facility.
 
     The bank agreement, which expires in March 2001, contains standard lending
covenants including financial ratios, restrictions on dividends and limitations
on additional debt and the disposition of Company assets. Interest is paid at
the rate of prime plus 1 and 1/4% or Libor plus 2 and 1/2%, at the option of the
Company.
 
     In September 1998, the Company entered into a loan agreement with the
Public Development Authority of Forsyth County, Georgia, (the "Issuer"), in the
principal amount of $7,365,000. The Issuer issued its tax-exempt industrial
revenue bonds, (the "Bonds"), for the sole purpose of financing a portion of the
cost of the acquisition, construction and installation of the Company's
Alpharetta, Georgia telecommunications equipment and printed circuit boards
manufacturing plant. The Company delivered an irrevocable, direct pay letter of
credit of approximately $7.5 million as security for payment of the Bonds. The
loan matures on August 1, 2008. Interest is paid monthly and the interest rate
on the loan is variable. As of the date of this Report, the interest rate is
approximately 3.5%.
 
NOTE 6.  SPECIAL CHARGES
 
     Special charges in the first quarter of 1998 included $6.6 million for
costs related to the consolidation of several operations and the Company's exit
from the contract manufacturing business. The Company's AIT and circuit board
repair operations have been consolidated into a new facility in Orlando,
Florida; the Company's manufacturing operations have moved from Orlando to a new
facility in Alpharetta, Georgia; and
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
                      WORLD ACCESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
the Company's Scottsdale, Arizona operations have been integrated into ATI's
facility in Wilmington, Massachusetts.
 
     The special charges included $3,360,000 to cost of sales for obsolete
contract manufacturing inventories and inventories deemed obsolete or redundant
as a result of the consolidation activities. The additional charges consisted
of:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Severance and termination benefits..........................  $  550,000
Idle facility costs.........................................   1,340,000
Idle equipment costs........................................   1,350,000
                                                              ----------
                                                              $3,240,000
                                                              ==========
</TABLE>
 
     The consolidated program began in the first quarter of 1998 and was
completed as of June 30, 1998. No costs were included in the special charges
that are expected to derive future economic benefit to the Company. As of
September 30, 1998, approximately $375,000 of accrued special charges is
included in Other current liabilities on the Company's balance sheet, which
consisted primarily of facility lease termination losses expected to be
incurred. See Management's Discussion and Analysis.
 
NOTE 7.  EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
     Effective in 1997, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 128 "Earnings per Share". The computation of basic earnings per
share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding
during the period. The computation of diluted earnings per share is based on the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus, when their effect is
dilutive, potential common stock consisting of shares subject to stock options,
stock warrants and convertible notes. Potential common stock of 3,895,748 shares
were included in computing diluted earnings per share for the three month period
ended September 30, 1998, including 3,105,485 additional shares related to the
assumed conversion of the $115.0 million convertible subordinated notes.
Potential common stock shares of 624,478 and 514,513 were included in computing
diluted earnings per share for the three and nine month periods ended September
30, 1997, respectively. A total of 943,406 shares of common stock held in escrow
from certain acquisitions and a license agreement were excluded from the
earnings per share calculations for the three months ended September 30, 1998
because the conditions for release of shares from escrow had not been satisfied.
 
     Common stock issued and outstanding at September 30, 1998 and 1997 was
22,803,207 and 19,185,677 shares, respectively.
 
NOTE 8.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     On August 24, 1996, Aerotel, Ltd. and Aerotel U.S.A. Inc. (collectively,
"Aerotel") commenced an action against NACT and a customer of NACT in the United
States District Court, Southern District of New York, alleging that telephone
systems manufactured and sold by NACT incorporating prepaid debit card features
infringe upon Aerotel's patent which was issued in November 1987 (the "Aerotel
Patent"). Aerotel sought injunctive relief, damages in an unspecified amount and
damages of up to three times damages found for willful infringement of the
Aerotel Patent. NACT filed an answer and Counterclaim in which it denied
infringement of the Aerotel Patent and sought judgement that the Aerotel patent
is invalid and unenforceable and that Aerotel has misused its patent in
violation of antitrust laws. NACT denied that it committed defamation, unfair
competition and tortuous interference with prospective business relations. In
August 1997, Aerotel amended its complaint to include as defendants GST, GST
USA, and two former executive officers of NACT. The amended pleadings sought in
excess of $18.7 million in damages and alleged that GST and GST USA infringed
the Aerotel patent, aided and abetted infringement by others, including NACT,
and participated in, and aided and abetted alleged tortuous conduct by NACT.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
                      WORLD ACCESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     Under the terms of the Company's stock purchase agreement with GST, the
Company and GST agreed to share evenly the costs of any judgement against NACT
as a result of the Aerotel litigation, including NACT's legal fees. Subsequent
to the NACT Acquisition, the Company actively engaged in settlement
negotiations. On October 26, 1998, the Company, GST and Aerotel settled the
Aerotel litigation. The Company's portion of the total settlement costs,
including legal fees, was approximately $3.3 million. The payment made to
Aerotel was made through the issuance of 137,334 shares of Company common stock.
The settlement costs incurred by the Company as a result of the Aerotel
litigation have been accounted for as additional NACT purchase price as of
September 30, 1998.
 
NOTE 9.  PENDING ACQUISITIONS
 
RESURGENS ACQUISITION
 
     On February 12, 1998, the Company executed a letter of intent to acquire
Cherry Communications Incorporated, d/b/a Resurgens Communications Group
("RCG"), and Cherry Communications U.K. Limited ("Cherry U.K.", and together
with RCG, "Resurgens"). On May 12, 1998, the Company signed definitive
agreements to acquire Resurgens. The agreement to acquire RCG is subject to the
approval of the Bankruptcy Court. The transactions, which will be accounted for
under the purchase method of accounting, are currently expected to be
consummated in December 1998.
 
     Pursuant to the terms of the agreements, the creditors of RCG and the
shareholders of Cherry U.K. will receive approximately 3.7 million restricted
shares of Company common stock in the aggregate, with an estimated fair value of
approximately $90 million. In addition, the RCG creditors and Cherry U.K.
shareholders have the right to receive additional consideration of up to 7.5
million restricted shares of Company common stock over the next two years,
contingent upon the achievement of certain EBITDA levels by Resurgens during
this timeframe. The transaction is subject to, among other things, Resurgens
exceeding pre-defined levels of monthly revenues and gross margin, the receipt
of the requisite corporate and regulatory approvals, the confirmation of RCG's
Plan of Reorganization and the approval of Company stockholders.
 
     RCG, currently operating under the protection of Chapter 11 of the United
States Bankruptcy Code, and Cherry U.K. are facilities-based providers of
international network access, commonly referred to in the industry as carriers'
carrier. In October 1997, John D. ("Jack") Phillips, a director of the Company,
entered into a series of agreements whereby, among other things, he became the
new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Resurgens. RCG filed for bankruptcy
protection shortly thereafter. MCI WorldCom, Inc. ("WorldCom"), a major customer
and vendor of Resurgens, has subsequently provided Resurgens approximately $26
million of direct financial support through a debtor in possession facility and
additional financial support, primarily through trade credits.
 
     In the second and third quarters of 1998, the Company purchased
approximately $7.0 million of switching equipment which has been consigned to
Resurgens. Upon its acquisition of Resurgens, the Company will account for this
equipment as part of its investment in Resurgens. If the acquisition is not
consummated, the Company expects to negotiate an arms-length sale of the
equipment to Resurgens or another customer. This equipment is included in Other
assets on the Company's September 30, 1998 balance sheet.
 
TELCO ACQUISITION
 
     On June 4, 1998, the Company entered into a definitive Agreement to merge
with Telco Systems, Inc. ("Telco"), as amended, (the "Merger").
 
     At the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"), each
outstanding share of common stock of Telco (the "Telco Common Stock")(together
with the associated right to purchase one-hundredth of a share of Series A
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock of Telco (the "Associated Rights"))
will be converted into and become exchangeable for that number of shares of
Company common stock equal to (the "Exchange
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
                      WORLD ACCESS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
Ratio") the quotient of $17.00 divided by the average of the last reported sale
prices of one share of Company common stock on The Nasdaq National Market
("Nasdaq") during the period of the 20 most recent trading days ending three
business days before the Effective Time (the "Market Price")(unless the Market
Price exceeds $36.00 per share, in which case each outstanding share of Telco
Common Stock will be converted in .4722 shares of Company common stock, or
unless the Market Price is less than $29.00 per share, in which case each
outstanding share of Telco Common Stock will be converted into .5862 shares of
Company common stock), provided that (i) the nominal value of the consideration
to be received by holders of Telco Common Stock will be no less than $12.00 per
share (the "Minimum Nominal Value") and (ii) the Company may elect to pay cash
in lieu of issuing shares of Company common stock so long as such cash does not
comprise more than 55% of the total consideration to be received by Telco
stockholders (based on the average of the high and low trading prices of the
Company's common stock on the day the Merger is consummated). If the Company
elects to pay cash in the Merger in lieu of issuing shares of Company common
stock, then each share of Telco Common Stock will be exchanged for a pro rata
portion of (i) the aggregate amount of cash that the Company elects to pay
(subject to the 55% limitation described above) (the "Aggregate Cash Pool") and
(ii) the aggregate number of shares of Company common stock to be issued in the
Merger, which will be equal to the number of shares of Company common stock that
would have been issued in the Merger had the Company not elected to include cash
in the merger consideration less that number of such shares having a value
(based upon the Market Price) equal to the Aggregate Cash Pool. The
consideration to be received by the Telco stockholders under the Merger
Agreement is referred to herein as the "Merger Consideration". The Company will
determine and publicly announce what portion (if any) of the Merger
Consideration it will pay in cash on the third business day prior to the
Effective Time. Also at the Effective Time, each outstanding option to purchase
Telco Common Stock will be assumed by the Company and converted into an option
to purchase shares of Company common stock as adjusted to account for the
Exchange Ratio and the Minimum Nominal Value. The Company currently estimates
that the total purchase price will be approximately $142.0 million. Based upon
the Company's recent market prices of its common stock, As of the date of this
Report, the Company expects to pay the Merger Consideration entirely in Company
common stock.
 
     The Merger will be accounted for as a purchase. The purchase price will be
allocated to the net assets acquired and to approximately $60.7 million of
purchased in-process R&D. Purchased in-process R&D, which consists of the value
of Telco's products in the development stage that are not considered to have
reached technological feasibility, will be expensed upon completion of the
Merger.
 
     The consummation of the Merger is subject to the approval by the respective
stockholders of the Company and Telco, the approval by the stockholders of the
Company of an increase in the authorized shares of common stock of the Company,
and the satisfaction or waiver of customary conditions. The Merger is expected
to be consummated on November 30, 1998.
 
NOTE 10.  COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
     The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130
("SFAS 130"), "Reporting Comprehensive Income", effective January 1, 1998. For
the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively, comprehensive
and net income were the same for the Company.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS
 
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
     Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, companies are
provided a "safe harbor" for making forward-looking statements about the
potential risks and rewards of their strategies. The Company believes that it is
in the best interest of its stockholders to use these provisions in discussing
future events in this Form 10-Q and other communications. These forward-looking
statements include the Company's plans for growth, the potential for
development, acceptance of the Company's products and other factors that could
affect the Company's future operations or financial position.
 
     The Company's ability to achieve its goals depends on many known and
unknown risks and uncertainties, as well as changes in general economic and
business conditions. These factors could cause the anticipated performance and
results of the Company to differ materially from those described or implied in
such forward-looking statements.
 
     Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the
risks and uncertainties described in the Company's SEC reports, including the
Company's registration statements on Form S-4.
 
OVERVIEW
 
     The Company develops, manufactures and markets wireline and wireless
switching, transport and access products for the global telecommunications
markets. The products offered by the Company include those manufactured by the
Company as well as those manufactured by other telecommunications equipment
manufacturers. To support and complement its product sales, the Company also
provides its customers with a broad range of design, engineering, manufacturing,
testing, installation, repair and other value-added services.
 
     During 1995 and 1996, the Company completed strategic and financial
restructuring programs to strengthen its management team, reposition the Company
as a provider of telecommunications products, improve its financial condition,
reduce its operating costs and position the Company for future growth. These
programs were undertaken following the significant losses incurred by the
Company in the early 1990s, primarily due to a discontinued smart pay telephone
business, and to take advantage of the significant growth opportunities within
the Company's existing customer base and related markets. In November 1994, the
Company began to rebuild its management team and change its strategic focus. The
Company strengthened its management team by appointing a new Chief Executive
Officer and by recruiting and hiring a new President and Chief Operating
Officer, Executive Vice President of Business Development and experienced
product development and manufacturing professionals. These individuals, together
with other key managers recruited into the Company, have brought significant
experience in manufacturing and marketing telecommunications equipment to the
Company.
 
     The Company acquired five businesses during 1995 to 1997 in an effort to
broaden its line of switching, transport and access products, enhance its
product development capabilities and strengthen its technical base. Effective
May 1995, the Company acquired AIT, Inc. ("AIT"), a full service provider of
Northern Telecom switching systems, add-on frames and related circuit boards;
effective October 1995, the Company acquired Westec Communications, Inc.
("Westec"), a provider of wireless products and services primarily to the cable
television industry; effective January 1996, the Company acquired Sunrise
Sierra, Inc. ("Sunrise"), a developer and manufacturer of intelligent transport
and access products; effective January 1997, the Company acquired Cellular
Infrastructure Supply, Inc. ("CIS"), a provider of mobile network equipment and
related design, installation and technical support services to cellular, PCS and
other wireless service providers; and effective August 1997, the Company
acquired Galaxy Personal Communication Services ("Galaxy"), a RF engineering
firm that provides system design, implementation, optimization and other
value-added radio engineering and consulting services to the wireless service
markets. The markets served by CIS and Galaxy complement the Company's
traditional telephone service provider and private network operator markets.
 
     In the first quarter of 1998, the Company acquired ATI, a manufacturer of
digital point-to-point microwave radio systems for short and long haul
applications and a majority stake in NACT, a provider of advanced
telecommunications switching platforms with integrated applications software. In
May 1998, the
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
Company signed definitive agreements to acquire Resurgens, a facilities-based
provider of international network access, commonly referred to in the industry
as carriers' carrier. In June 1998, the Company signed a definitive agreement to
acquire Telco, a manufacturer of asynchronous fiber optic systems and
intelligent channel banks for the integrated access, high capacity multiplexer
and Frame Relay/ATM access markets. These acquisitions have positioned the
Company to offer its customers a complete telecommunications network solution,
including proprietary equipment, planning and engineering services and access to
international long distance. The Company currently anticipates the acquisitions
of Telco and Resurgens to be consummated in November and December 1998,
respectively.
 
     The Company realized significant improvements in its sales and operating
results since 1994 as a result of the acquisitions and internal growth
initiatives. The Company's total sales increased by 82.3% in 1997, 69.2% in 1996
and 97.2% in 1995. Total sales for the first nine months of 1998 increased by
46.9% over the last nine months of 1997. As the Company increased its product
sales from 18.2% of total sales in 1994 to 84.6% of total sales in the first
nine months of 1998, its gross profit margin before special charges increased
from 12.9% in 1994 to 21.1% in 1995, 29.4% in 1996, 34.6% in 1997 and 42.6% in
the first nine months of 1998. As a percentage of total sales, the Company's
operating income (loss) before special charges increased from (8.5%) in 1994 to
5.0% in 1995, 14.4% in 1996, 21.0% in 1997 and 27.2% in the first nine months of
1998. The Company will continue to seek further improvements in gross profit
margin over time as product offerings include more internally developed,
acquired and licensed products containing proprietary technology.
 
     Although the Company has aggressively pursued acquisitions in recent years,
approximately 50% of the Company's total sales growth since 1994 has come from
internal growth initiatives. The Company has had considerable success in growing
businesses subsequent to their acquisition, due in part to the Company's ability
to provide working capital, an extensive base of telecommunications customers
and a broad range of support services.
 
     Since January 1, 1995, the Company has significantly strengthened its
balance sheet through improved operating results, a $115.0 million sale of
convertible subordinated notes, a $26.2 million secondary public equity
offering, stock warrant and option exercises, and a five-year $10.0 million
credit facility. The Company has used this capital for acquisitions and to
support the working capital requirements associated with the Company's growth.
The Company's working capital and stockholders' equity have increased from $2.3
million and $1.2 million, respectively, at December 31, 1994 to $124.3 million
and $123.3 million, respectively, at September 30, 1998.
 
FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS
 
     The Company's operating results have fluctuated significantly in the past.
As the Company increases its number of telecommunications product offerings, its
future operating results may vary significantly depending on factors such as the
timing and shipment of significant orders, new product offerings by the Company
and its competitors, market acceptance of new and enhanced versions of the
Company's products, changes in pricing policies by the Company and its
competitors, the availability of new technologies, the mix of distribution
channels through which the Company's product are sold, the inability to obtain
sufficient supplies of sole or limited source components for the Company's
products, gains or losses of significant customers, the timing of customers'
upgrade and expansion programs, changes in the level of operating expenses, the
timing of acquisitions, seasonality and general economic conditions.
 
     The Company's sales during the first nine months of 1998 included
approximately $54.0 million from its AIT and CIS subsidiaries. AIT sells new and
used Northern Telecom switching systems, add-on frames and circuit cards. CIS
sells re-engineered cellular base stations and related mobile network equipment.
These operations depend on a consistent supply of equipment to sustain their
revenue levels. Additionally, individual sales by AIT and CIS are relatively
large ($500,000 to $2.0 million), which subjects the Company to the risk of
revenue fluctuations in the event that customers adjust the timing of their
orders.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following table sets forth items in the Company's Consolidated
Statements of Operations as a percentage of total revenues:
 
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               THREE MONTHS ENDED       NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                 SEPTEMBER 30,            SEPTEMBER 30,
                                               ------------------       ------------------
                                                1998        1997         1998        1997
                                               ------      ------       ------      ------
<S>                                            <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>
Sales of products............................   85.7%       77.2%        84.6%       78.2%
Service revenues.............................   14.3        22.8         15.4        21.8
                                               -----       -----        -----       -----
       Total sales...........................  100.0       100.0        100.0       100.0
Cost of products sold........................   46.4        44.8         46.7        47.1
Cost of services.............................   10.9        17.3         13.2        17.9
                                               -----       -----        -----       -----
       Total cost of sales...................   57.3        62.1         59.9        65.0
                                               -----       -----        -----       -----
       Gross profit..........................   42.7        37.9         40.1        35.0
Engineering and development..................    3.4         2.2          3.2         1.9
Selling, general and administrative..........   10.8         9.2         10.0         9.6
Amortization of goodwill.....................    2.1         2.0          2.2         1.7
In process research and development..........     --          --         36.5          --
Special charges..............................     --          --          2.3          --
                                               -----       -----        -----       -----
       Operating income (loss)...............   26.4        24.5        (14.1)       21.8
Interest and other income....................    1.7         0.9          2.1         1.2
Interest expense.............................   (3.0)       (0.2)        (3.4)       (0.1)
                                               -----       -----        -----       -----
       Income (loss) before income taxes and
          minority interest..................   25.1        25.2        (15.4)       22.9
Income taxes.................................   10.0         9.3          8.4         8.4
                                               -----       -----        -----       -----
       Income (loss) before minority
          interests..........................   15.1        15.9        (23.8)       14.5
Minority interests in earnings of
  subsidiary.................................    2.0          --          1.9          --
                                               -----       -----        -----       -----
       Net income (loss).....................   13.1%       15.9%       (25.7)%      14.5%
                                               =====       =====        =====       =====
</TABLE>
 
OTHER DATA:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>
Gross margin (before special charges)
  Products...................................   45.8%      41.9%       45.9%      39.7%
  Services...................................   24.0       24.3        24.1       17.9
</TABLE>
 
  THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1997
 
     Sales.  Total sales increased $26.4 million, or 96.2%, to $53.8 million in
the third quarter of 1998 from $27.4 million in the third quarter of 1997. The
percentage of product sales to total sales increased to 85.7% in the third
quarter of 1998 from 77.2% in the third quarter of 1997.
 
     Product sales increased $24.9 million, or 117.8%, to $46.1 million in the
third quarter of 1998 from $21.2 million in the third quarter of 1997. The
increase related to digital radio systems sold by ATI, which was acquired
effective January 29, 1998, switching products sold by NACT, which was acquired
effective February 28, 1998, and an increase in sales of cellular equipment sold
by CIS.
 
     Service revenues increased $1.4 million, or 23.1%, to $7.7 million in the
third quarter of 1998 from $6.3 million in the third quarter of 1997. The
increase related to facility management services provided by NACT, which was
acquired effective February 28, 1998, and additional incremental revenues from
Galaxy. The increase was offset by a decline in electronic manufacturing
revenues resulting from a strategic decision to begin utilizing the Company's
manufacturing capacity for new World Access products rather than service outside
contract manufacturing customers.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
     Gross Profit.  Gross profit increased $12.6 million, or 121.0%, to $23.0
million in the third quarter of 1998 from $10.4 million in the third quarter of
1997. Gross profit margin increased to 42.7% in the third quarter of 1998 from
37.9% in the third quarter of 1997. The improved performance resulted from the
96.2% increase in total sales and the change in sales mix to products, which
generally carry a higher gross profit margin than service revenues.
 
     Gross profit margin on products sold increased to 45.8 % in the third
quarter of 1998 from 41.9% in the third quarter of 1997. The improved margin
performance relates to the switching products sold by NACT and an increase in
sales of cellular equipment sold by CIS. The increase was partially offset by
the digital radio systems sold by ATI, which included sales of the new WavePLEX
radio system which carries a lower profit margin in its infancy until costs are
reduced by increased production.
 
     Gross profit margin on service revenues decreased to 24.0% in the third
quarter of 1998 from 24.3% in the third quarter of 1997. The decrease is due to
facilities management services from NACT. Gross margins related to the services
provided by NACT are lower on average than those of the Company's other service
businesses.
 
     Engineering and Development.  Engineering and development expenses
increased $1.2 million, or 197.0%, to $1.8 million in the third quarter of 1998
from $605,000 in the third quarter of 1997. The increase in expenses was
attributable to the acquisition of NACT and ATI and the further expansion of a
corporate product development group during 1998. Engineering and development
expenses increased to 3.4% of total sales in the third quarter of 1998 from 2.2%
of total sales in the third quarter of 1997.
 
     Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased $3.3 million, or 131.2%, to $5.8 million in
the third quarter of 1998 from $2.5 million in the third quarter of 1997. The
increase primarily related to expenses associated with the operations of ATI and
NACT, which were acquired in early 1998, the Company's continued expansion of a
dedicated international sales and marketing group and corporate business
development function. As a percentage of total sales, selling, general and
administrative expenses increased to 10.8% in the third quarter of 1998 from
9.2% in the third quarter of 1997.
 
     Amortization of Goodwill.  Amortization of goodwill increased $585,000 to
$1.1 million in the third quarter of 1998 from $546,000 in the third quarter of
1997, primarily as a result of the goodwill generated in connection with the ATI
and NACT acquisitions.
 
     Operating Income.  Operating income increased $7.5 million, or 111.5%, to
$14.2 million in the third quarter of 1998 from $6.7 million in the third
quarter of 1997. Operating income margin increased to 26.4% in the third quarter
of 1998 from 24.5% in the third quarter of 1997.
 
     Interest and Other Income.  Interest and other income increased $660,000,
or 268.1%, to $906,000 in the third quarter of 1998 from $246,000 in the third
quarter of 1997 due to increased invested cash balances of the Company,
resulting primarily from proceeds received from a $115.0 million private
debenture offering completed in September 1997.
 
     Interest and Other Expense.  Interest and other expense increased to $1.6
million in the third quarter of 1998 from $45,000 in the third quarter of 1997.
The increase is related to the $115.0 private debenture offering completed in
October 1997.
 
  NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1997
 
     Sales.  Total sales increased $65.4 million, or 91.2%, to $137.1 million in
the first nine months of 1998 from $71.7 million in the first nine months of
1997. The percentage of product sales to total sales increased to 84.6% in the
first nine months of 1998 from 78.2% in the first nine months of 1997.
 
     Product sales increased $59.9 million, or 106.7%, to $116.0 million in the
first nine months of 1998 from $56.1 million in the first nine months of 1997.
The increase related to digital radio systems sold by ATI, which was acquired
effective January 29, 1998, switching products sold by NACT, which was acquired
effective February 28, 1998, and an incremental increase in sales of cellular
equipment sold by CIS.
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
     Service revenues increased $5.5 million, or 35.2%, to $21.1 million in the
first nine months of 1998 from $15.6 million in the first nine months of 1997.
The increase related to facility management services provided by NACT, which was
acquired effective February 28, 1998, and additional incremental revenues from
Galaxy. The increase was offset by a decline in electronic manufacturing
revenues resulting from a strategic decision to begin utilizing the Company's
manufacturing capacity for new World Access products rather than service outside
contract manufacturing customers.
 
     Gross Profit.  Gross profit increased $29.9 million, or 119.4%, to $55.0
million in the first nine months of 1998 from $25.1 million in the first nine
months of 1997. Gross profit margin increased to 40.1% in the first nine months
of 1998 from 35.0% in the first nine months of 1997. Gross profit margin
excluding special charges was 42.6% in the first nine months of 1998. The
improved performance resulted from the 91.2% increase in total sales and the
change in sales mix to products, which generally carry a higher gross profit
margin than service revenues.
 
     Gross profit margin on products sold increased to 44.8% in the first nine
months of 1998 from 39.7% in the first nine months of 1997. Gross profit margin
excluding special charges was 45.9% in the first nine months of 1998. The
improved margin performance relates to the switching products sold by NACT and
an increase in sales of cellular equipment sold by CIS. The increase was
partially offset by the digital radio systems sold by ATI, which included sales
of the new Compact WavePLEX radio system which carries a lower profit margin in
its infancy until costs are reduced by increased production.
 
     Gross profit margin on service revenues decreased to 14.5% in the first
nine months of 1998 from 17.9% in the first nine months of 1997. Gross profit
margin excluding special charges was 24.1% in the first nine months of 1998. The
improvement was due to the addition of revenues of Galaxy, which was acquired
effective July 1, 1997.
 
     Engineering and Development.  Engineering and development expenses
increased $3.0 million, or 224.4%, to $4.4 million in the first nine months of
1998 from $1.4 million in the first nine months of 1997. The increase in
expenses was attributable to the acquisition of NACT and ATI and the further
expansion of a corporate product development group during 1998. Engineering and
development expenses increased to 3.2% of total sales in the first nine months
of 1998 from 1.9% of total sales in the first nine months of 1997.
 
     Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased $6.9 million, or 100.2%, in the first nine
months of 1998 to $13.7 million in the first nine months of 1998 from $6.8
million in the first nine months of 1997. The increase primarily related to
expenses associated with the operations of ATI and NACT, which were acquired in
early 1998, and the Company's continued expansion of a dedicated international
sales and marketing group and corporate business development function. As a
percentage of total sales, selling, general and administrative expenses
increased to 10.0% in the first nine months of 1998 from 9.6% in the first nine
months of 1997.
 
     Amortization of Goodwill.  Amortization of goodwill increased $1.8 million
to $3.0 million in the first nine months of 1998 from $1.2 million in the first
nine months of 1997, primarily as a result of the goodwill acquired in
connection with the ATI and NACT acquisitions.
 
     Operating Income Before Special Charges.  Operating income before special
charges increased $21.5 million, or 137.9%, to $37.2 million in the first nine
months of 1998 from $15.7 million in the first nine months of 1997. Operating
income margin before special charges increased to 27.2% in the first nine months
of 1998 from 21.8% in the first nine months of 1997.
 
     Interest and Other Income.  Interest and other income increased $2.1
million, or 244.7%, to $2.9 million in the first nine months of 1998 from
$835,000 in the first nine months of 1997 due to increased invested cash
balances of the Company, resulting primarily from proceeds received from a
$115.0 million private debenture offering completed in October 1997.
 
     Interest and Other Expense.  Interest and other expense increased $4.6
million to $4.7 million in the first nine months of 1998 from $95,000 in the
first nine months of 1997. The increase is primarily due to the $115.0 million
private debenture offering completed in October 1997.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
PURCHASED IN-PROCESS R&D
 
     Special charges in the first quarter of 1998 included $50.0 million for
in-process research and development related to the first quarter 1998
acquisitions of a 67.3% interest in NACT and ATI (see Note 2 to the "Financial
Statements"). Purchased in-process research and development, which consists of
the value of NACT and ATI products in the development stage that are not
considered to have reached technological feasibility, were expensed in
accordance with applicable accounting rules. The Company expects to record an
additional in-process research and development charge of approximately $20.0
million in the fourth quarter of 1998 in connection with the acquisition of the
remaining 32.7% of NACT.
 
     The Income Approach was utilized to value the acquired research and
development technologies in the NACT Acquisition. The Income Approach values
technologies by projecting the potential cash flows related to those
technologies and discounting the cash flows to their present values using a
discount rate reflective of the risk of achieving the cash flows. The projected
cash flows include estimates of the remaining costs to complete the in-process
technologies.
 
     NACT provides advanced telecommunications switching platforms with
integrated applications software and network telemanagement capabilities. NACT
designs, develops, and manufacturers all hardware and software elements
necessary for a fully integrated, turnkey telecommunications switching solution.
The nature of the in-process research and development was such that
technological feasibility had not been attained as of the date of Acquisition.
Failure to attain technological feasibility, especially given the high degree of
customization required for complete integration into the NACT solution, would
have rendered partially designed hardware and software useless for other
applications. Incomplete design of hardware and software coding would create a
non-connective, inoperable product that would have no alternative use.
 
     NACT's business plan called for a shift in market focus to larger
customers, both domestic and international; therefore, NACT had numerous
projects in development at the time of the acquisition. Additionally, the
pending completion of a major release of NACT's billing system required
significant development efforts to ensure continued integration with NACT's
product suite.
 
     NACT had nine principal projects in the development pipeline at the time of
acquisition. Most major projects had several ongoing sub-projects (e.g., a
hardware design project and a software design project). These projects included
significant redevelopment of some existing products and the creation of new
products. The research and development projects were at various stages of
development. Most new or redeveloped products were scheduled for release in
1998, while several others were scheduled for release in 1999. None of the
in-process projects considered in the write-off had attained technological
feasibility.
 
     For all in-process technologies, management estimated remaining costs to
complete. These estimates were $3.3 million for 1998, and $1 million for 1999.
The expected sources of funding were scheduled research and development expenses
from the operating budget of NACT provided by the operating assets and
liabilities of NACT.
 
     The Income Approach was also used to value the acquired research and
development technologies in the ATI acquisition.
 
     ATI develops and manufactures a series of high-performance digital
microwave/millimeter radio equipment. Their products reach across all frequency
bands and data rates and offer numerous features. The nature of the in-process
research and development was such that technological feasibility had not been
attained as of the date of Acquisition. Failure to attain technological
feasibility would have rendered partially designed equipment useless for other
applications. ATI's products are designed for specific frequency bandwidths and,
as such, are highly customized to those bandwidths and the needs of customers
wishing to operate in them. Products only partially completed for certain
bandwidths cannot be used in other bandwidths.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
     At the time of acquisition, ATI's primary product lines were FSK+, Compact,
and QAM. ATI's management determined the following percentages of each product
line were in-process technologies:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
FSK+:                                            15.0% of units in development
Compact:                                         95.0% of units in development
QAM:                                             100.0% of units in development
</TABLE>
 
     Between each product line, various stages of development had been reached.
Additionally, within each product line, different units had reached various
stages of development. Of the products management considered in-process, none
had attained technological feasibility.
 
     For all in-process products, management estimated remaining costs to
complete to be $3.1 million for 1998, $7.2 million for 1999, $7.6 million for
2000, $5.1 million for 2001, and $1.1 million for 2002. The expected sources of
funding were scheduled R&D expenses from the operating budget of ATI provided by
the operating assets and liabilities of ATI.
 
SPECIAL CHARGES
 
     In January 1998, the Company's senior management decided that the following
actions were necessary to streamline operations and position the Company to
service anticipated sales growth:
 
     - Close down the existing Orlando, Florida manufacturing and repair
       facility. Move the manufacturing of certain World Access products to the
       company's Alpharetta, Georgia manufacturing facility.
 
     - Exit the contract manufacturing business.
 
     - Close down four Lakeland, Florida facilities and move AIT operations to a
       new facility in Orlando, Florida. Repair operations would be integrated
       with AIT in this new facility.
 
     - Close down Westec's facility in Scottsdale, Arizona and integrate its
       operations into ATI's facility in Wilmington, Massachusetts.
 
     Shortly thereafter, senior management informed the operating management of
the applicable divisions. All Orlando and Lakeland employees were informed in
January and Westec employees were informed in February (subsequent to the
closing of the ATI acquisition).
 
     Management carefully reviewed the provisions of EITF 94-3 in determining
which costs related to the above actions should be included in a first quarter
special charge. No costs were included in the charge that would derive future
economic benefit to the Company, e.g., relocation of existing employees,
recruiting and training of new employees and facility start-up costs. The
special charge consisted of:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
  Obsolete and redundant inventories........................  $3,360,000
  Severance and termination benefits........................     550,000
  Idle facility costs.......................................   1,340,000
  Idle equipment costs......................................   1,350,000
                                                              ----------
                                                              $6,600,000
                                                              ==========
</TABLE>
 
     Severance and termination benefits were clearly communicated up front to
the approximately 60 employees who lost their jobs as a direct result of the
consolidations. Affected employees were notified shortly after the January and
February employee meetings. Benefits were determined consistent with the
Company's severance policy of one week of pay for each full year of service
(minimum of two weeks) and continued benefits through the month severance pay is
exhausted. Approximately 10 of these employees were involuntarily terminated in
February and March, approximately 40 employees were involuntarily terminated in
April and approximately 10 employees were involuntarily terminated in June. The
Orlando and Lakeland facilities were closed in April and the Scottsdale facility
was closed in June. The actual severance and termination benefit costs incurred
by the Company were not materially different from the $550,000 recorded in the
special charge.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
     The idle facility and equipment portion of the special charge included the
write-off of "old Orlando", Lakeland and Scottsdale leasehold improvements,
provisions for the estimated costs to terminate idle facility and equipment
leases, the write-off of Orlando manufacturing equipment not relocated to the
company's Alpharetta facility and certain phase-down expenses associated with
the six facilities closed down. As of the date of this Report, the Company does
not expect the actual costs for these items to be materially different from
amounts recorded in the special charge.
 
     As previously noted, all activities that resulted in the first quarter
special charge were completed by the Company as of June 30, 1998. Of the
$3,240,000 special charge, approximately $1.4 million related to assets directly
written-off of amounts charged to the reserve in the first quarter. As of
September 30, 1998, the accrual for special charges was approximately $375,000,
which consisted primarily of lease termination losses expected to be incurred.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     Overview.  Cash management is a key element of the Company's operating
philosophy and strategic plans. Acquisitions to date have been structured to
minimize the cash element of the purchase price and ensure that appropriate
levels of cash are available to support the increased product development,
marketing programs and working capital normally associated with the growth
initiatives of acquired businesses. As of September 30, 1998, the Company had
$62.0 million of cash and investments to support its current working capital
requirements and strategic growth initiatives.
 
     Operating Activities.  Cash provided from operating activities was $7.6
million in the first nine months of 1998 as compared to cash used by operations
of $4.1 million in the first nine months of 1997.
 
     Accounts receivable increased $26.4 million, or 130.4%, to $46.7 million at
September 30, 1998 from $20.3 million at December 31, 1997. This was due to the
acquisitions of NACT, ATI and Galaxy and increased sales activity at the Company
(third quarter 1998 sales were $53.9 million as compared to fourth quarter 1997
sales of $21.3 million). Average days sales outstanding at September 30, 1998
and December 31, 1997 were approximately 80 days. The Company's transition into
equipment sales has caused an increase in days sales outstanding over the past
12 months. The Company's proprietary equipment sales tend to include longer
payment terms than the historical repair and refurbishment businesses. In
addition, the Company's sales to international customers have increased during
the last twelve months. International sales generally have payment terms of 90
to 120 days. The Company also has recently begun to enter into long-term notes
receivable with selected customers. To maximize cash flow, the Company sells the
notes where possible on either a non-recourse or recourse basis to a third party
financing institution. As of September 30, 1998, the Company has a contingent
liability of approximately $10.0 million related to notes sold with recourse.
The Company believes it has recorded sufficient reserves to recognize the
current risk associated with these recourse sales.
 
     Inventories increased $24.9 million, or 111.0%, to $47.3 million at
September 30, 1998 from $22.4 million at December 31, 1997. This increase was
due to the acquisitions of NACT and ATI, a planned build-up of CDX switching and
WX-5501 inventories and an increase in AIT and CIS inventories. The Company has
also procured electronic component and other inventories to support the internal
manufacturing of NACT's products which were previously outsourced. The increases
above were offset by the $3.4 million provision for obsolete and redundant
inventories related to the consolidation program initiated in the first quarter
of 1998 (see Special Charges).
 
     Investing Activities.  Cash used by investing activities, primarily for the
acquisitions of businesses, was $83.5 million and $6.0 million for the first
nine months of 1998 and 1997, respectively.
 
     On December 31, 1997, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement
with GST and GST USA to acquire 5,113,712 shares of NACT common stock owned by
GST USA, representing approximately 63% of the outstanding shares of NACT common
stock (the "NACT Stock Acquisition"). On February 27, 1998 the NACT Stock
Acquisition was completed with GST USA receiving $59.7 million in cash and
1,429,907
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
restricted shares of the Company's common stock. These shares had an initial
fair value of approximately $26.9 million. This transaction increased the
Company's ownership of NACT to 67.3%.
 
     On February 24, 1998 the Company entered into a merger agreement with NACT
pursuant to which the Company agreed to acquire all of the shares of NACT common
stock not already then owned by the Company or GST USA (the "NACT Merger"). On
October 28, 1998, the NACT Merger was completed whereby the Company issued
2,790,182 shares of the Company's common stock valued at approximately $46.7
million for the remaining minority interest of NACT.
 
     On December 24, 1997, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire ATI.
On January 29, 1998, the transaction was completed in its final form whereby ATI
was merged with and into CIS (the "ATI Merger"). In connection with the ATI
Merger, the stockholders of ATI received approximately $300,000 and 424,932
restricted shares of the Company's common stock. These shares had an initial
fair value of approximately $6.5 million.
 
     In addition to the 424,932 shares noted above, the stockholders of ATI were
issued 209,050 restricted shares of the Company's common stock. These shares
were immediately placed into escrow and will be released to the stockholders of
ATI contingent upon the realization of predefined levels of pre-tax net income
from ATI's operations during calendar years 1998 and 1999.
 
     In December 1997, the Company loaned ATI approximately $4.5 million. ATI
used $2.6 million of the proceeds to pay off its line of credit with a bank and
the remainder for working capital purposes. The note receivable from ATI is
included in Other assets on the Company's December 31, 1997 balance sheet.
During the first quarter of 1998, the note receivable was included in the
Company's purchase price of ATI.
 
     During the first nine months of 1998 and 1997, the Company invested $8.5
million and $1.9 million, respectively, in capital expenditures. The Company has
invested approximately $4.2 million during 1998 related to the establishment of
the new manufacturing facility in Alpharetta, Georgia. The remaining
expenditures during 1998 were primarily for computer network and related
communications equipment designed to upgrade the Company's management
information systems and facilitate the integration of acquisitions, and facility
improvements required in connection with the Company's growth.
 
     The Company began capitalizing software development costs in the fourth
quarter of 1997 in connection with its increased focus on developing proprietary
technology and products. Software development costs are capitalized upon the
establishment of technological feasibility of the product. During the first nine
months of 1998, the Company capitalized approximately $3.1 million of software
development costs.
 
     Financing Activities.  Cash provided from financing activities was $16.3
million and $3.5 million for the first nine months of 1998 and 1997,
respectively.
 
     On October 1, 1997, the Company sold $100.0 million in aggregate principal
amount of convertible subordinated notes (the "Notes") under Rule 144A of the
Securities Act of 1933. The Notes bear interest at the rate of 4.5% per annum,
are convertible into Company common stock at an initial price of $37.03 per
share and mature on October 1, 2002. Interest on the Notes is payable on April 1
and October 1 of each year. The Notes are general unsecured obligations of the
Company and are subordinate in right of payment to all existing and senior
indebtedness. The Company received $97.0 million from the sale of the Notes,
after the initial purchasers' discount fees of $3.0 million.
 
     In addition to the Notes sold on October 1, 1997, the Company granted the
initial purchasers an option to purchase up to an additional $15.0 million in
Notes to cover over-allotments. On October 28, 1997, the initial purchasers
exercised the over-allotment option in full and the Company received an
additional $14.6 million, after the application of the initial purchasers'
discount fees.
 
     The total discount fees of $3,450,000, along with approximately $550,000 of
legal, accounting, printing and other expenses (the "Debt issuance costs") are
being amortized to expense over the five year term of the Notes. Debt issuance
costs of approximately $3.2 million, net of amortization, are included in Other
assets on the Company's September 30, 1998 balance sheet.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
     As of September 30, 1998, the Company had borrowings of $2.4 million
outstanding under its $10.0 million revolving line of credit. Borrowings under
the Company's line of credit are secured by a first lien on substantially all
the assets of the Company. The bank agreement, which expires in March 2001,
contains standard lending covenants, including financial ratios, restrictions on
dividends and limitations on additional debt and the disposition of Company
assets. Interest is paid at the rate of prime plus 1 1/4% or LIBOR plus 2 1/2%,
at the option of the Company.
 
     During the first nine months of 1998 and 1997, the Company received
approximately $19.7 million and $9.4 million, respectively, in cash, including
related federal income tax benefits, from the exercises of incentive and
non-qualified stock options and warrants by the Company's directors and
employees.
 
     Income Taxes.  As a result of the exercises of non-qualified stock options
and warrants by the Company's directors and employees, the Company has realized
a federal income tax benefit of approximately $11.6 million for the first nine
months of 1998. Although this tax benefit does not have any effect on the
Company's provision for income tax expense, it represents a significant cash
benefit to the Company. This tax benefit is accounted for as a decrease in
current income taxes payable and an increase in capital in excess of par value.
 
     Summary.  The Company's improved operating performance and completion of
the sale of $115.0 million of Notes in 1997 has significantly enhanced its
financial strength and improved its liquidity. The Company believes that
existing cash balances and cash projected to be generated from operations will
provide the Company with sufficient capital resources to support its current
working capital requirements and business plans for at least the next 12 months.
 
YEAR 2000
 
     As a result of certain computer programs being written using two digits
rather than four to define the applicable year, any of the Company's computer
systems that have date sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as the
year 1900 rather than the year 2000 (the "Year 2000 Issue"). This causes
programs that perform arithmetic operations, comparisons or date sorts to
possibly generate erroneous results when the program is required to process
dates from both centuries. This could result in a system failure, incorrect data
and other business disruptions, including, among other things, a temporary
inability to procure materials, process transactions, send invoices and service
customers.
 
     The Company is in the process of evaluating its operating systems to
determine what modifications are necessary to make such systems compatible with
the year 2000 requirements. These systems include business information systems,
development tools and test beds, and manufacturing equipment and processes. The
Company has recently implemented a new business information system at several of
its locations that is certified to be year 2000 compliant by its supplier.
Independent tests by the Company have verified this compliance and the system is
expected to deployed company-wide by mid-1999. The Company plans on engaging an
outside consulting firm in November 1998 to perform a detailed year 2000 review
of its development and manufacturing systems. The costs to ensure compliance of
these systems (including computer equipment, software upgrades and assessment
fees) by mid-1999 is currently estimated at approximately $700,000.
 
     In addition, the Company is in the process of developing a plan whereby it
will review the year 2000 readiness of its customers and suppliers. In doing so,
it will undertake appropriate internal reviews and will contact certain of its
significant customers to assess, to the extent possible, Year 2000 Issues
related to the Company's products. In that regard, the Company has identified
that certain of its products, including NACT's NTS 1000 Billing System, are not
year 2000 compliant. NACT is in the process of modifying the NTS 1000 Billing
System to overcome the two digit limitation. This modification of the NTS 1000
software is anticipated to be completed by the first calendar quarter in 1999 at
an estimated cost of $115,000. World Access is in the process of releasing new
versions of such products and making necessary modifications to existing
products to address the Year 2000 Issue. The Company expects that many of its
customers will upgrade to the new products. However, there can be no assurance
that the Company's customers will upgrade to the new year 2000 compliant
products or that the modifications planned to the certain of the existing
                                       21
<PAGE>   23
 
products will be successful or completed in a timely manner. Although the
Company believes that it can address year 2000 readiness issues related to its
products, there may still be disruptions and/or product failures that are
unforeseen.
 
     The Company also intends to request assurances from its major suppliers
that they are addressing the Year 2000 Issue and that the products and services
procured or used by the Company will function properly or be available without
interruption in the year 2000. A detailed questionnaire was mailed to all major
suppliers in September 1998. Appropriate Year 2000 warranties will be requested
from key suppliers to the Company. Nevertheless, it will be impossible to fully
assess the potential consequences if service interruptions occur from suppliers
or in infrastructure areas such as utilities, communications, transportation,
banking and government. As a result, the Company also intends to develop a
business continuity plan by mid-1999 to minimize the impact of such external
events.
 
     While the Company's efforts to address Year 2000 Issues will involve
additional costs and the time and effort of a number of employees, the Company
believes, based on currently available information, that it will be able to
properly manage its total year 2000 exposure. There can be no assurance,
however, that the Company will be successful in its effort or that the computer
systems of other companies on which the Company will rely will be timely
modified, or that a failure to modify such systems by another company, or
modifications that are incompatible with the Company's systems, would not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or
results of operations.
 
ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
     Not Applicable
 
                                    PART II
 
                               OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
(A) Exhibits
 
     11  -- Computation of Earnings Per Share
 
     27.1 -- Financial Data Schedule (for SEC use only).
 
(B) Report on Form 8-K
 
     On February 13, 1998, Old World Access filed a report on Form 8-K,
announcing that on January 29, 1998 the merger of ATI with and into CIS, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Old World Access was consummated, as amended by
Amendment No. 1 thereto on Form 8-K/A filed on April 14, 1998, as further
amended by Amendment No. 2 thereto on Form 8-K/A filed on September 3, 1998,
relating to the audited financial statements of Advanced TechCom, Inc., and the
unaudited pro forma financial statements of Old World Access.
 
     On February 20, 1998, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K announcing
that Old World Access signed a letter of intent to acquire Cherry Communications
Incorporated d/b/a Resurgens Communications Group ("RCG"). On May 18, 1998, Old
World Access filed a report on Form 8-K announcing that Old World Access signed
definitive agreements to acquire RCG and Cherry Communications U.K. Limited. On
July 27, 1998, Old World Access filed a report on Form 8-K, as amended by
Amendment No. 1 thereto on Form 8-K/A filed September 4, 1998, as further
amended by Amendment No. 2 thereto on Form 8-K/A filed on September 25, 1998
relating to the audited combined financial statements of Resurgens and the
unaudited pro forma financial statements of the Company.
 
     On June 8, 1998, Old World Access filed a report on Form 8-K, announcing
that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Telco Systems, Inc.
On September 10, 1998, Old World Access filed a report
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   24
 
on Form 8-K, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto on Form 8-K/A filed on
September 25, 1998 relating to the audited consolidated financial statements of
Telco Systems, Inc. and unaudited pro forma financial statements of the Company.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   25
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
                                          WORLD ACCESS, INC.
 
                                          By:     /s/ MARTIN D. KIDDER
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                      Martin D. Kidder
                                               Vice President and Controller
 
Dated: November 19, 1998
 
                                       24