Telecom Argentina (TEO) reported third-quarter earnings per ADS of 40 cents, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 52 cents. However, reported net income from continuing operations grew 39% year over year to P$303 million (US$79 million), boosted by healthy growth from broadband and mobile segments.   Consolidated revenues increased 13% year over year to P$3.1 billion (US$803 million) as the company’s cellular business grew 13% while broadband business (Arnet) posted healthier annualized growth of 54%. Broadband Internet revenue growth was fueled by significant expansion of broadband service, commercial promotions, innovation of service portfolio and improved network coverage.   The company’s cellular telephony business achieved respectable growth in the quarter with revenue of P$2.1 billion (US$550 million) accounting for approximately 68% of the consolidated sales. Revenues from data transmission grew 25% year over year to P$70 million (US$18 million). Fixed-line voice service revenues increased 3.1% year over ...

Qwest Communications (Q) has announced third-quarter 2009 earnings with reported earnings per share (EPS) of 8 cents matching both the Zacks Consensus Estimate and the year-ago quarter EPS. Net income declined 6.2% year over year to $136 million on lower revenues as erosion in legacy landline business continues. Operating revenue declined 9.6% from the prior-year quarter to $3.05 billion, primarily due to lower voice service revenue as consumers continue to disconnect their landline services. Qwest reported healthy growth in Internet revenue in the quarter, driven by respectable broadband customer growth. However, voice service revenue declined due to access line erosion. Results by Segment Business Markets Revenue from the business market segment declined 1% year over year to $1 billion due to declines across legacy voice and data businesses. The segment contributed 33.8% of the group revenue for the quarter. Driven by growth in ...

AT&T Inc. (T) announced third-quarter 2009 results, with reported earnings per share of 54 cents beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 50 cents while declining from 55 cents reported a year ago. Net income fell 1.2% year over year to $3.2 billion on account of lower revenue. The results were highlighted by growth across wireless and U-verse video businesses. The second largest wireless carrier reported consolidated revenue of $30.9 billion for the quarter, down 1.6% year over year, largely due to lower wireline voice, legacy data and print advertising revenue, which offset growth in wireless and wireline data services. AT&T registered a net gain of 2 million wireless subscribers in the third quarter to reach 81.6 million total subscribers in service, up 9% year over year, driven by strong iPhone activations. This represents the largest third quarter addition in the company’s history. Retail postpaid additions for ...

Sprint Nextel (S), the third-largest U.S. wireless carrier, announced the acquisition of its wireless affiliate iPCS Inc. (IPCS), which is expected to end the long legal battle between the two entities. Based in Schaumburg, Illinois, iPCS exclusively markets wireless services under the Sprint brand across 81 markets in several Midwestern states   The deal represents the latest in a series of acquisitions of its affiliates by Sprint. Acquisition of iPCS leaves just two remaining affiliates (out of the original ten), Swiftel and Shentel. Both of them are small privately-held operators with limited subscriber base.   Under the agreement terms, Sprint will commence a cash tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of iPCS Inc for $24 per share, representing a 34% premium to iPCS’s closing price on Oct 16. Sprint will make a cash payment of approximately $426 million for the acquisition, and will assume $405 million ...

AT&T (T) announced the launch date of Garmin Ltd.'s (GRMN) long-awaited GPS smartphone yesterday.

The second-largest US carrier will be the exclusive distributor of the device (called “nuvifone G60") in the US starting Oct 4, 2009. This will end a more than year-and-a-half delay in the device's US market launch, and also marks Garmin's first foray into the US smartphone market.

The touch-screen based nuvifone G60 will be sold at AT&T's stores and online for $299, after a $100 rebate and with a two-year service contract. While access to GPS service will be free, customers can enjoy premium value-added services, including real-time traffic updates, weather, movies and local events for a monthly payment of $5.99.

The nuvifone G60, which is positioned as a high-end phone, is distinct from other competing smartphones with GPS technology as it is equipped with full capabilities of a satellite navigator. In addition to its extended local

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The BREW (Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless) technology platform is getting increasing acceptance among global broadband service providers. BREW is a proprietary technology solution developed by Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM). This is a mobile handset platform supporting both high-end feature-rich smart-phones as well as low-end ordinary mobile phones that are intended to drive several wireless data applications. BREW technology enables mobile service providers to generate revenues from different value-added services. BREW solutions will help customers to access 3D mobile games, social networking, ring-tones and other productivity tools.   As of now, BREW has been commercially deployed by more than 60 carriers in over 25 countries. Qualcomm claims that the platform generated more than $2 billion revenues for the application developers as of March 2009. Verizon Wireless (VZ) is so far the largest telecom operator that deployed BREW mobile platform. Last July, the carrier renewed its BREW contract with ...

LM Ericsson Telephone Co. (ERIC) said it has been selected as one of two suppliers for AT&T Inc.'s (T) Wireline Access products and services. The deal is a major win for Ericsson's wireline business in North America. It will now provide full system solutions within AT&T's wireline access network, significantly accelerating the company's ability to bring new broadband-based products and services to market.

Ericsson will be able to firmly focus on its research and development, strengthen relationships with third-parties, streamline relevant business practices and ensure wireline access product integration to provide AT&T with the best and most innovative solutions available.

Already having approved Ericsson's GPON Fiber to the Home (FTTH) solution for general deployment, AT&T will now start integrating Ericsson's DSL portfolio for Fiber to the Node (FTTN) and IP DSLAM solutions to support its offerings like IPTV, High Speed Internet and VoIP over an all IP

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – August 6, 2009 – Zacks Equity Research highlights DIRECTV (DTV) as the Bull of the Day and BJ's Restaurants, Inc. (BJRI) the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM), Tata Teleservices (TCL) and NTT DoCoMo (DCM).

Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2676

Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:

Bull of the Day:

DIRECTV (DTV) is set to continue generating healthy free cash flow and earnings growth, with reduced cap ex requirements, healthy ARPU and vigorous growth in its U.S. and Latin American operations. The company's HD lead should defend its market share, bolster ARPU and help stem decelerating subscriber growth.

We think the HD roll-out with the RBOCs as partners will defend DTV's market share against cable's ability to offer video,

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Growing market traction of 3G wireless devices in India is likely to spur growth of Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM), the largest developer of digital mobile chipsets based on CDMA wireless technology. At present, India has more than 100 million CDMA wireless subscribers, out of which half a million are 3G subscribers.

Currently, Reliance Communications and Tata DoCoMo, a joint venture between Tata Teleservices (TCL) and NTT DoCoMo (DCM) are the two main CDMA service providers in India. In addition, the state-run BSNL, the largest telecom operator in the country and Sistema-Shyam Teleservices are also opting for CDMA2000.   Ministry of Telecommunication of the Indian Government is exploring several options to auction the available spectrum for next-generation high-speed 3G networks. While Reliance Communications and Tata DoCoMo have deployed 3G EV-DO networks using their existing spectrum in 800 Mhz band, BSNL is rolling out 3G HSPA networks in 40 cities.

Subscribers of

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – July 24, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Ford (F), Tenneco Automotive (TEN), AT&T Inc (T), Centennial Communications (CYCL) and 3M (MMM).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:

New Unemployment Claims Rise...but

The new claims for unemployment data was mixed this morning, and there is some evidence that it is being distorted by seasonal adjustment problems. For the week, there were 554,000 new claims for unemployment insurance on a seasonally-adjusted basis, a rise of 30,000.

However, the weekly

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