Stocks struggled for the second day in a row yesterday, but telecommunications stocks did well following an earnings report from prepaid wireless provider MetroPCS Communications (NYSE: PCS), which showed first-quarter earnings more than doubled, thanks to the best-ever quarter for customer additions. MetroPCS gained 10%, while AT&T (NYSE: T) was up 2% and Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) was up 0.4%. Sure these gains are good enough for well-known, large-cap stocks, but if you’re interested in truly outsized gains, why not consider looking at some penny stocks in the sector?

The stocks on our communications penny stocks list might not be what you would consider “true penny stocks.” But micro-cap pink sheet or OTC stocks that cost only a few cents per share are incredibly risky investments, which we do not advocate. These stocks are a little bigger, and therefore a little safer, but they still have the ability to deliver some spectacular gains when the bull picks up steam again.

Here are our top penny stocks to buy in the communications sector:

Blonder Tongue Laboratories (BDR)

Delivering encoding, digital transport and broadband product solutions to a variety of markets, Blonder Tongue Laboratories (AMEX: BDR) has watched its stock climb almost 5% in the past month, and the penny stock has jumped an impressive 88% in the last 12 months. Quarterly revenue growth, year over year, of 7% is another reason to buy.

EMCOR Corp. (EMKR)

Offering various semiconductor-based products, EMCOR Corp. (NASDAQ: EMKR) has experienced a stock gain of 121% year to date compared to much smaller gains by the broader markets. Potential investors should also note EMKR’s quarterly revenue growth of 23% last quarter.

Tii Network Technologies Inc. (TIII)

Known for selling products for use in the networks to service providers in the communications industry, Tii Network Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: TIII) investors have watched the penny stock rise 111% in the last six months. The company recently reported a nearly 400% year-over-year increase in Q4 earnings.

B.O.S Better Online Solutions Ltd. (BOSC)

Provider of mobile and radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions, B.O.S Better Online Solutions Ltd. (NASDAQ: BOSC) has watched its stock rise 71% year to date, and 126% in the last 12 months.

8×8 Inc. (EGHT)

Developer and marketer of telecom solutions for Internet protocol (IP), telephony and video applications, 8×8 Inc. (NASDAQ: EGHT) has gained 20% since the start of 2011. Looking further back, EGHT is up 120% in the last calendar year. Potential investors should also take note of EGHT’s net profit margin of 8% from last quarter.

Multiband Corp. (MBND)

Next up is Multiband Corp. (NASDAQ: MBND), which provides voice, data and video services to multi-dwelling unit and single family home customers. The volatile penny stock has gained 47% year to date. In the last 12 months, MBND is up 98%, compared to much smaller gains by the broader markets.

ICO Global Communications Ltd. (ICOG)

Rounding out the list is development-stage mobile satellite service provider ICO Global Communications Ltd. (NASDAQ: ICOG). This penny stock is up 57% year to date and 72% in the past 12 months. Buy this stock with a 52-week range of $1.20 to $3.20.