Bell Atlantic, Metromedia Fiber Reach Agreement

NEW YORK, NY, June 15 -- Metromedia Fiber Network, Inc. and Bell Atlantic have signed an agreement under which Metromedia Fiber Network (MFN) will implement dark fiber connectivity within all Bell Atlantic central offices. This accord, a first for the industry, provides a fast, efficient way for competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) to enter the local telecommunications market by allowing each CLEC to utilize MFN's fiber to connect directly to Bell Atlantic's network or to another CLEC network.
Under the terms of the agreement, MFN will install hundreds of 'dark fibers' in Bell Atlantic's equipment buildings or central offices, but will not be required to locate the lines in a separate area known as a collocation cage or space, as has been the practice until now. Dark fibers are additional, unused fiber optic strands that provide virtually unlimited bandwidth for transmitting data, video, voice and multi-media communications.