Some commercial time was sold regionally on a co-op basis, while other spots were sold network-wide.
Damron also likes Kent Electronics, which distributes passive components and connectors, sells network hardware, and provides installation and maintenance services on networking equipment.
ADC sells network equipment, including amplifiers for wireless phone towers and wireless fidelity, or Wi-Fi, and Internet network equipment.
As well as making these unexpected forays away from selling network gear, Cisco is exploring other sidelines.
And instead of getting an exclusive franchise, Earthlink agreed to re-sell network capacity to other providers who ask.
The company sells handsets and other telecommunications equipment and is seeking to sell network equipment in the United States, Mr. Ding said.
Sales at Ericsson's business of managing telephone networks for operators rose 18 percent, helping to offset a 9 percent decline in its biggest business of selling network equipment.
The expired rules, intended to foster competition in the $127 billion local-calling market, required the Bells to sell network access at below-market rates set by regulators.
Irish and European Union regulations require Eircom, as the incumbent former monopoly, to sell network capacity to competitors at a 23percentt discount.
Patricia F. Russo, Lucent's chief executive, said the agreements included deals to sell network management software to Deutsche Telekom, digital subscriber line gear to Telekomunikacja Polska and optical network equipment to Czech Telecom.
