Windstream Corporation sells landline phone service in rural areas, but the company told shareholders Thursday that its offering of broadband Internet and digital television service continues to be the key to its future.

CEO and President Jeff Gardner spoke Thursday at shareholders meeting in downtown Little Rock.

Little Rock-based Windstream was spun off from Alltel in July 2006, creating the fifth-largest U.S. local phone company.

The new company is keeping its rural focus, selling traditional landline and long distance phone service while emphasizing broadband Internet service and digital television.

Gardner says Windstream's plans include doubling broadband speed for its 871,000 Internet customers. Windstream has 196,000 digital TV customers through an agreement with Dish Network, the nation's Number 2 satellite provider.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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