January 30, 2002 -- Cogent Communications, a Tier One, next generation, optical Internet service provider, announced that it has entered into an agreement with American Fiber Systems, Inc. (AFS), a provider of dark-fiber metropolitan networks in second- and third-tier cities throughout the United States, to secure dark fiber strands on AFS's Kansas City network.

Cogent's nationwide, end-to-end optical network provides radically priced Internet service in 20 of the largest cities in the United States. Cogent will further its presence in Kansas City by "lighting" its metropolitan rings in the Kansas City area, meeting the demand generated by its 100 Mbps at $1,000 per month service.

-End-