Fiber-optic company formed to bring high-speed access to secondary markets
3/21/00 Six energy and telecommunications companies have announced the creation of America's Fiber Network LLC (AFN), a new super-regional, fiber-optic company with a network of more than 7,000 route miles connecting major markets in the eastern U.S. to secondary markets with a growing need for broadband access.
The initial footprint of fiber in AFN puts the company in position to reach areas responsible for roughly 35% of the national wholesale communications capacity market. While many telecom companies focus on Tier 1 markets or metro markets, AFN plans to take a super-regional approach, reaching underserved markets--like Athens, OH; Binghamton, N.Y.; Morgantown, WV; and Charlottesville, VA--and connecting them to Tier 1 markets. The network area stretches from New York City to Chicago and from Rochester, NY, to Johnson City, TN.
The new company is formed by AEP Communications, a subsidiary of American Electric Power; GPU Telcom, a subsidiary of GPU, Inc.; Allegheny Communications Connect, a subsidiary of Allegheny Energy, Inc.; FirstEnergy Telecom, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.; CFW Communications; and R&B Communications.
AFN will serve as a carrier's carrier, providing telecommunications capacity to Internet service providers, competitive local exchange providers, long-distance providers and wireless communications companies.