DENVER -- Aerie Networks, the first company to introduce Mass Produced BandwidthSM and User Defined NetworksSM, announced that it has begun construction of its broadband network between Chicago and St. Louis, St. Louis and Kansas City, Kansas City and Dallas, Dallas and Houston. Construction was launched with the initial closing of Aerie Networks' Series C preferred stock financing of at least $100 million from a group of premier technology and investment companies.

"We are ready to roll," said Mort Aaronson, Aerie's president and chief operating officer. "We've got the bulk of our right of way secured, we have Corning (Incorporated) on board to supply all the optical fiber we need, and we've put together a team of 60 professionals with significant, relevant industry experience. Now we have the financing that will allow us to begin construction of our network and actively take reservations for dark fiber and bandwidth capacity."

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