Windstream Holdings Inc. of Little Rock announced Monday that it would eliminate 164 positions, including 25 in Little Rock.
Spokesman David Avery said the decision is part of the company's "ongoing efforts to efficiently manage the business and to align resources to current work demands and opportunities."
"Decisions that affect our employees are difficult, but necessary to manage our costs and position the company for success," he said.
Windstream has about 12,000 employees, including about 1,450 in Arkansas.
The company will provide severance and other benefits to those affected by the layoffs, Avery said.
Avery added that the layoffs are not related to the merger, announced in November, of Windstream and EarthLink. The deal, described by CEO Tony Thomas as one that combines "two highly complementary organizations with closely aligned operating strategies and business unit structures," is set to close March 1.
The company announced the merger the same day it reported a third-quarter net loss, with revenue down 10 percent to $1.34 billion.
