Sprint Nextel Corp. says it plans to trim jobs "in the dozens" from its wholesale division amid slowing business.

The nation's third-largest wireless provider confirmed Tuesday that it has begun notifying employees in the division of layoffs.

Kathleen Dunleavy, a spokeswoman for the company based in Overland Park, Kansas, wouldn't say how many jobs are being cut other than it would be "in the dozens." The division employs 575 people.

Dunleavy said most of the cuts are coming from traditional wireline and Internet-based telephone operations. She said those areas have less growth potential compared with wireless services and providing networks for dedicated devices, such as e-readers.