Excite@Home Will Pull Back in Europe

High-speed Internet service provider Excite@Home Corp. said it is shutting down operations in France, Germany and Spain, becoming the latest victim of a sharp slowdown in Internet advertising.

The Redwood City, Calif.-based group, controlled by AT&T;, said it would focus its energies in Europe on Britain and Italy, where it sees positive growth prospects.

Excite shares slipped 12 cents to $4 on Nasdaq.