Several weeks ago, I took a look at the various metro fiber companies for which I could find data. Well, it took some time, some nosing around, and some estimation, but I have what I consider my final list. For now anyway, I will update over time I’m sure, and who knows, new information may come to light. I estimated Zayo’s metro route miles based on their acquisitions plus some rough estimations, I don’t think I’m far off. The rest I either found a direct reference to or, in one or two cases, actually counted the dots on their public maps.
| Company | Route Miles | Buildings | RtMiles/Bldg |
| Optimum Lightpath | 2700 | 2500 | 1.1 |
| Southern Light Fiber | 1000 | 800 | 1.3 |
| American Fiber Systems | 1000 | 540 | 1.9 |
| AGL Networks | 523 | 211 | 2.5 |
| TW Telecom | 25930 | 10,254 | 2.5 |
| XO Communications | 9000 | 3000 | 3.0 |
| Level 3 | 26000 | 7600 | 3.4 |
| Abovenet | 4500 | 1300 | 3.5 |
| Integra Telecom | 2200 | 580 | 3.8 |
| Zayo | 6000 | 1500 | 4.0 |
| RCN Metro | 5626 | 1200 | 4.7 |
| Cavtel Wholesale | 1550 | 300 | 5.2 |
| FiberLight | 1400 | 250 | 5.6 |
| US Signal | 700 | 100 | 7.0 |
| Cogent | 10400 | 1240 | 8.4 |
| IP Networks Inc | 400 | 40 | 10.0 |
| Fibertech | 2300 | 200 | 11.5 |
| SRPNet Telecom | 950 | 55 | 17.3 |
| Edison Carrier Solutions | 3000 | 115 | 26.1 |
There are some interesting new names on this list, private companies I knew nothing about until working through this table. The two with the most miles per buildings seem to be fiber networks associated with electric utilities – they go everywhere but hook up little yet. Zayo shows up where I figured they’d be at about 4. Joining AFS, Optimum Lightpath, and TW Telecom as the most dense networks are two I had never heard of but which I will keep an eye out for: AGL Networks and Southern Light Fiber. Thanks to all commenters for information and leads.
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Categories: CLEC · Metro fiber
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Really enjoy your informative posts and now your blogging! Not to nit-pick here, but shouldn’t that last header be:
Route miles/Buildings?
You’re correct, I have corrected the table header. Thanks Louis.