ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- American Fiber Systems (AFS), a leading independent provider of "dark" fiber-optic communication networks for telecommunication carriers, service providers and enterprises, today announced that its Nashville, Tennessee metropolitan dark-fiber network is now operational ("dark" fiber is simply fiber-optic cable without electronic equipment attached). This means that any company or telecommunications carrier in the Nashville area can lease the AFS network's fiber-optic strands to efficiently and cost-effectively transport huge volumes of data, Internet and voice traffic around the city and out to the world by simply attaching the appropriate electronic equipment. The network is already in use. The 50-mile AFS dark-fiber ring winds through Nashville's metropolitan area and surrounding communities, connecting the most important points of communications presence. These points include telephone company central offices, long distance company points of presence, high-density office complexes and "carrier hotels" - buildings that house the equipment of multiple communications companies. The network provides immediate, on-network access to the local facilities of Level 3 Communications and to telephone company central offices in the area. "We are pleased to enable telecommunication companies and businesses in Nashville," said Baxter. "The city is home to a wide range of technology-savvy companies who recognize the value of unlimited bandwidth. We are here to make that bandwidth available at a fixed price." American Fiber Systems Inc.