11.   And while Sprint said the technology would let them provide local service, the company might prefer to partner with Bells.

12.   A Pioneer spokeswoman said the company prefers a position as a silent partner.

13.   A spokesman for Wind Dancer Productions, which created the series, said Monday that the company preferred not to comment.

14.   A spokesman said the company prefers to say it specializes in science fiction and adventure movies.

15.   Additionally, the company prefers to deal with problems privately, on a one-on-one basis.

16.   Adams said the company preferred a sale to going public.

17.   But compliant Wall Street analysts generally discuss the numbers the companies prefer.

18.   But companies prefer to report options packages in footnotes, or tucked away in a table at the back of the annual report.

19.   But demand for workers remained weak as companies prefer to hire only part-timers, he said.

20.   But ExciteAtHome spokeswoman Melissa Walia says the company simply prefers to use the Excite name for national branding campaigns to promote all its services.