51.   Several telecom companies have already filed for bankruptcy protection, and others are likely to follow suit.

52.   Shares in other European telecom companies were mixed in reaction to the announcement.

53.   Shares in smaller telecom companies have fallen much further, and some of the upstarts are teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.

54.   Some smaller telecom companies will get acquired.

55.   So telecom companies are looking to provide a maximum of services in the largest possible area.

56.   Such a move by the Atlanta-based telecom company could stymie a bid by one big European player and set up BellSouth as de facto ally to another.

57.   Telecom companies and financial institutions were among the first to tap the Asian market.

58.   Telecom companies are seeking to provide customers with everything from phone service to Net access to cable TV.

59.   Telecom companies, their suppliers and even the banks that lend them money were left to placate increasingly hostile investors on Wall Street.

60.   Telecom equipment companies are expected to benefit from the expansion.