Avici Systems Thursday recorded first-quarter 2003 results slightly better than analyst estimates.

Gross revenue for the first quarter ended March 31 was $7.6 million, compared to $9.2 million for the comparable period a year ago. Revenue, net of common stock warrant discount, was $6.8 million, compared to $8.4 million for the same period last year.

Analysts queried by Thomson First Call were expecting first-quarter 2003 revenue of $6.6 million.

Net loss for the first quarter was $12.7 million, or $1.03 per share, compared to a net loss of $17.7 million, or $1.42 per share, in the prior year's first quarter. Analysts expected a first quarter loss of $1.07 per share.

"We demonstrated significant improvements in year-over-year operating costs and gross margin percentage through our sustained focus on improving our bottom line," said Steve Kaufman, Avici president and CEO, in a statement.

Avici also announced agreements with six systems integrators to resell Avici's Terabit Switch Router, Stackable Switch Router and Quarter-rack Scalable Router products. The integrators are CARIPAC of China and Hong Kong; Mexel of Mexico; Nautilus Hyosung of Korea; Network1 of Brazil; Phitech of Taiwan; and Satelcom in the U.K.