EarthLink’s 4th-Quarter Earnings Decline 18%

EarthLink Inc., the No. 4 U.S. Internet access provider, said fourth-quarter profit declined 18% as it lost dial-up customers to rivals.

Net income declined to $29.2 million, or 22 cents a share, from $35.6 million, or 23 cents, a year earlier. Sales fell 7.5% to $312.6 million, Atlanta-based EarthLink said.

EarthLink shares fell 17 cents to $11.11.