Sprint Nextel Corp., the nation's third-largest wireless carrier, on Thursday reported a wider third-quarter loss and a larger exodus of customers despite an improved slate of phones and cheaper rates.

Sprint, which hasn't reported a quarterly net gain in subscribers in more than two years, continues trying to regain ground in a highly competitive market. Besides investing heavily in improving its customer service efforts, the company has beefed up its portfolio of high-tech smartphones, including Palm Inc.'s Pre, in a bid to better compete with the likes of Apple Inc.'s iPhone, now sold by AT&T Inc.

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