AFS network expansion continues

Mike Dickinson//May 10, 2001//

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The first segment of American Fiber Systems Inc.’s dark-fiber communications network in the Cleveland area went operational today.
The segment is part of a 44-mile dark-fiber network in Cleveland expected to be operational this fall, company officials said. That network will contain 432 strands of optical fiber. Dark fiber is fiber optic cable without any electronics attached.
“We eagerly look forward to helping the Cleveland business community by providing a solid broadband infrastructure to handle the city’s growing data communications needs,” said David Baxter, AFS vice president of engineering and operations.
The Brighton-based AFS is spending $1.8 billion to design, deploy and lease networks in 131 in second- and third-tier cities nationwide.
AFS expects to complete metro fiber networks in 11 markets this year. The company has fiber installed in St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo., and Minneapolis.
AFS was founded in 1999 by David Rusin, who previously served as president of Frontier Communications and Eastman Kodak Co.’s Edicon Systems subsidiary. Over roughly the past year it has grown to more than 25 full-time employees.