ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- 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."

American Fiber Systems Inc. (AFS)