Energy, Telecom Firms CreateSuper-Regional Fiber Optics Company

WASHINGTON, Mar. 23 -- Six energy and telecommunications companies have joined to create America's Fiber Network LLC (AFN), a super-regional high-speed fiber optics company with a network of more than 7,000 route miles, or 140,000 fiber miles.
The new company was formed by AEP Communications, a subsidiary of American Electric Power; GPU Telcom, a subsidiary of GPU Inc.; Allegheny Communications Connect, a subsidiary ofAllegheny 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.