The main reason that telecommunications executives committed billions to building global or nationwide networks, of course, was projected demand.

Then in squeezes a telecommunications executive named Sam Bower with the night's first order of business.

Ms. Fenton, 46, a former telecommunications executive, said she thought often about her daughter's future.

"There were lots of overblown promises from telecommunications executives that they would provide competition, and it's not happening."

International Leading telecommunications executives face urgent work as they begin meeting today in Geneva to discuss the global marketplace.

Senior telecommunications executives are hoping at least that the industry may have hit bottom.

"From an accounting standpoint I guess the first reaction is that this is just wrong," one senior telecommunications executive said.

He said the company was searching for a telecommunications executive to become its chief executive.

Mr. Knowling is a former telecommunications executive and leadership training expert who earns $250,000 a year.

One three-page ad, for example, shows former telecommunications executives at their new jobs.