(Bloomberg) ? Bermuda-based Global Crossing Ltd., the fibre-optic network operator that emerged from bankruptcy protection earlier this month, said its net loss for the first nine months of the year widened as revenue fell 5.9 percent.

The net loss for the nine months ended September 30 widened to $149 million, or 16 cents a share, from $114 million, or 15 cents, in the first nine months of 2002, the company said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Revenue fell to $2.21 billion from $2.35 billion a year earlier.

Hamilton, Bermuda-based Global Crossing had eliminated 5,600 jobs and closed 257 locations as of September 30 as it tried to emerge from bankruptcy-court protection.

The company filed for bankruptcy two years ago, amid falling demand for telecommunications services, including use of its fibre-optic network.

The reorganisation of Global Crossing, which operates a fibre-optic network spanning 100,000 miles and 27 countries, became effective on December 9. Singapore Technologies Telemedia Pte, a government-owned investor in communications assets, will own 61.5 percent of the company.