Aether posts smaller loss

Aether Systems, a provider of wireless services, didn't lose as much as expected in the just finished fourth quarter. The company reported a fourth-quarter operating loss of $35.2 million, or 90 cents per share. Analysts surveyed by First Call had expected the company to post a $1 per share loss. Aether did have very positive revenue growth for both the fourth quarter and the year. The company's annual revenue was $58.2 million, nine times what revenue was in 1999. Fourth-quarter revenues increased by six times compared with the same period last year.