American Fiber Systems (AFS), a provider of data networks to carriers and large enterprises, has acquired equity interest in USCarrier Telecom LLC (Booth 709), a wholesale provider in the southeastern United States. The transaction makes AFS the single largest shareholder in USCarrier, and gives the company the ability to gain majority ownership within a few years.

AFS now manages the daily operators of USCarrier. It also, initially, holds two seats on USCarriers board of directors; it will be able to make more appointments in the future. AFS senior managers Dave Rusin, president and CEO, and Dave Danchak, vice president of business development, hold the initial seats.

Danchak will assume the role as president of USCarrier and Gita Ramachandran of AFS now is CFO. USCarrier will maintain its corporate identity, management team, and personnel and will continue to operate from its Atlanta headquarters.

The deal bodes well for both companies, executives said. We have compatible corporate cultures, similar customers, and highly reliable engineering and customer service, said Dave Rusin, president and CEO of AFS. AFS provides metro solutions to both enterprise and carrier customers in the Atlanta market, and USC provides regional long-haul solutions to carrier customers across the Southeast.

This transaction positions the combined companies as leading providers of metro and long-haul telecommunication services, said Teddy Solomon, chairman of the board of USCarrier. Working together enables us to provide a comprehensive solution to meet the growing demands of our customers and allows us to pursue significant new revenue opportunities.

American Fiber Systems  www.americanfibersystems.com
USCarrier Telecom LLC www.uscarrier.com