LV phone company Mpower cutting jobs out of state

Friday, May 18, 2001 | 11:12 a.m.

SUN STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Mpower Communications Corp., a provider of broadband high-speed Internet access and telephone services to homes and businesses, announced today it will cut 275 jobs, or about 13 percent of its work force, and close operations in 12 markets.

The goal of the cutbacks, to take place over the next 90 days, is to help Mpower post operating earnings by the the end of next year without more financing. The moves leave Mpower with a presence in 28 markets, including Las Vegas.

The company, which took over the operations of MGC Communications in 1999 and changed its name to Mpower in 2000, doesn't expect to cut any Las Vegas positions.

"There may eventually be one or two jobs cut due to corporate overhead expenses, but we're not cutting operations," said Michele Sadwick, an Mpower spokeswoman in Rochester.

She said the company currently has 325,000 lines in service systemwide as of March 31. The company does not break down the number of lines by market.

It is ending operations in Grand Rapids, Mich.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Nashville, Tenn.; Orlando and Jacksonville, Fla.; San Jose, Calif.; St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo.; Tulsa, Okla.;, Oklahoma City; Little Rock, Ark., and Wichita, Kan.