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American Fiber Systems Strengthens Metro Optical Solutions With Acquisition of Marietta FiberNet

Move Complements MFN's Robust and Extensive Network Offering

American Fiber Systems, a leading nationwide provider of metropolitan optical solutions announced today that it has entered into a purchase agreement to acquire Marietta FiberNet, a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (or CLEC), offering voice, data and Internet services to business clients in the north metro Atlanta area. Dave Rusin, President and CEO of American Fiber Systems, stated that the acquisition, which is expected to finalize in August, combines the best of both companies, and will not result in any change to current service. "We are extremely pleased to be in the Atlanta region and to be working with MFN. We knew early on in our discussions that our two companies shared similar values with respect to customers, employees and community. Together, we will be a world-class organization, known for our quality-driven, customer-focused employees, our industry expertise and high performance network infrastructure," said Rusin.

Marietta FiberNet was the first municipally owned telecommunications operation to be certified in the State of Georgia. Their footprint supports an addressable market of over $4 billion in annual telecommunications services. "This acquisition marks a milestone for MFN," said Ed Godshall, Director, Marietta FiberNet. "Together, AFS and MFN offer tremendous benefits for customers. Our established industry leadership in the greater metro Atlanta area -- complemented by American Fiber Systems' network expertise and strong customer support -- offer a path for the higher capacity and innovative services that customers want and the increase in revenues and profits they need, now and into the future."

Both Rusin and Godshall stated they did not expect substantial changes to the operations of the business. According to Rusin, "The acquisition provides AFS with outstanding and complementary personnel and technology. Combining MFN's reliable, cost-effective and scalable transport foundation with AFS' ability to optimize networks, leverage embedded infrastructure and selectively add systems and software where needed to lower costs, simplify operations and offer new services, further strengthens the value the MFN network provides to the greater Atlanta community."

About American Fiber Systems

American Fiber Systems, a provider of metropolitan fiber optic network infrastructure and wholesale transport services, is dedicated to enabling wireline, wireless carriers and large enterprises in achieving a competitive advantage from optical broadband communications technology. AFS has deployed over 76,000 miles of high-capacity, high-bandwidth metropolitan fiber optic cable since 2000 in several cities, including Cleveland, OH; Kansas City, KS/MO; Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN; Nashville, TN; and Salt Lake City, UT. They connect to a city's most important points of communications presence, including ILEC central offices and wire centers; CLEC PoPs; Internet Service Provider (ISP) and data center locations; Inter-exchange "carrier hotels"; wireless providers and cable company head ends; and Fortune 1000 companies. AFS has over 400 capacity enabled on-net buildings. The AFS Web site may be found www.americanfibersystems.com

The AFS logo may be downloaded at: www.americanfibersystems.com

View Marietta FiberNet network maps at www.mfn.net