Telecoms equipment maker Lucent Technologies, hit by a slower than expected turnaround in takings, is to cut a further 5,000 jobs, a report said.

The New Jersey-based firm, which employed 62,000 people at the end of last year, had planned to reduce its workforce to 55,000 by the end of June.

"It's not like a whole new programme of restructuring," a source told news agency Reuters.

"It's a lot of little snips that will get the company (staff) to more like 50,000."

The report added to the gloom surrounding telecoms firms, which have seen share prices slide in recent days over renewed fears of earnings.

Internet giant Juniper Networks failed to buck the trend late on Thursday, reporting revenues down by 63% in the first three months of the year.

More cuts to come?

Lucent failed to comment on the job loss report, but said details of staffing levels would be provided in a profits statement on 22 April.

The report did not surprise Wall Street analysts, who had seen previous signs that the telecoms equipment market has not recovered as had been hoped.

" We've been saying and continue to say the company needs to take down more staffing levels," said Salomon Smith Barney analyst Alex Henderson said.

"I don't think paring 5,000 people is enough."

Lucent, which in January painted a bright outlook, last month delayed until 2003 its estimate for a return to profitability.

'Critical objective'

Juniper, reporting after the close of US stock market trade on Thursday, said it had run up a loss of $46m in the first quarter, compared with a profit of $58.6 million a year before..

The California-based firm, the second-ranking maker of equipment that powers the internet, has struggled as telecom carriers and service providers have held back investment plans.

"The critical objective for Juniper Networks is to position ourselves for the industry recovery," chairman and chief executive Scott Kriens said.

Juniper shares initially dipped in after-hours trading, before recovering to $10.35, up one cent on Thursday's closing price.