Standard & Poor's Ratings Services lowered its ratings on Stamford, Conn.-based telecommunications service provider Citizens Communications Co. to 'BB' from 'BB+' with a stable outlook.

Broadband services provider Windstream Corp. said Friday its first-quarter profit climbed 24 percent on customer growth. Net income rose to $123.7 million, or 27 cents per share, compared with $99.9 million, or 21 cents per share, in the previous year.

Shares of PeopleSupport Inc. skidded Thursday after the business process outsourcing company again lowered expectations for the year due to lower revenue from two key customers.

Telus Corp. on Thursday reported a 49 percent increase in first-quarter net income to 291 million Canadian dollars ($284.7 million) as revenue grew 6.6 percent over a year earlier to 2.35 billion Canadian dollars ($2.3 billion.)

Windstream Corp. sells landline phone service in rural areas, but the company told shareholders Thursday that its offering of broadband Internet and digital television service continues to be the key to its future.

Internet communications company Vonage Holdings Corp. said Thursday its first-quarter loss narrowed 88 percent on higher sales and reduced costs. Net loss fell to $9 million, or 6 cents per share, from $72.3 million, or 47 cents per share, in the 2007 first quarter.

Europe's biggest telecom, Deutsche Telekom AG, said Thursday that its first-quarter profit rose more than 33 percent on the sale of its media and broadcast unit and lower interest expenses.

Among the earnings stories for Thursday, May 8, from AP Financial News: FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) _ Europe's biggest telecom, Deutsche Telekom AG, said Thursday that its first-quarter profit rose more than 33 percent on the sale of its media and broadcast unit and lower interest expenses.

Telecommunications company Global Crossing Ltd. said Thursday its first-quarter loss narrowed on higher sales. The company recorded a loss of $70 million, or $1.28 per share, compared with a loss of $121 million, or $3.30 per share, in the year-ago quarter.

Softbank Corp.'s profit more than doubled in its fiscal fourth quarter despite the high costs of a marketing blitz that helped lure a record number of new mobile phone subscribers.

Deutsche Telekom AG, Europe's largest telecom, said Thursday that its first-quarter profit rose more than 33 percent as it benefited from selling its media and broadcast unit and booked lower interest expenses.

Telkom Kenya has signed a deal with Ericsson Kenya Ltd. to set up a new mobile phone network in East Africa's largest economy, the companies said. Telkom Kenya expects the GSM network to be running by year's end, and has hired Ericsson to build and operate it initially as Telkom Kenya retrains and r...

Telkom Kenya has signed a deal with Ericsson Kenya Ltd. to set up a new mobile phone network in East Africa's largest economy, the companies said. Telkom Kenya expects the GSM network to be running by year's end, and has hired Ericsson to build and operate it initially as Telkom Kenya retrains and r...

Softbank Corp.'s net profit nearly quadrupled to a record high last fiscal year on the strength of its rapidly expanding mobile business, the technology and Internet company said Thursday.

America Movil, the largest cell phone operator in Mexico confirmed in a statement on Wednesday it reached a deal with Apple to distribute the iPhone in Latin America.

Telecom service providers opened mixed Wednesday, with Sprint Nextel and Clearwire up on news the two are planning to combine their wireless broadband units to create a new, $14.55 billion wireless communications company.

Clearwire shares rose sharply in premarket trading Wednesday on a deal forming a new wireless venture with Sprint Nextel Corp. The new company, to be named Clearwire, will receive $3.2 billion in capital from a group of investors including search engine powerhouse Google Inc. and cable TV operator C...

Sprint Nextel Corp.'s stake in a joint venture with Clearwire Corp. will likely be worth $2 to $3 per share and significantly reduce capital expenditures, an analyst said Wednesday.

France Telecom SA on Wednesday reported growth in first-quarter revenue and profit margins and said it is ready to seek acquisitions to enhance its presence in both emerging markets and Western Europe.