PAETEC Communications Inc., a telecommunications provider operating in 27 markets, says it has acquired commercial accounts, switches and related facilities from Covista Communications Inc. for $13.5 million, gaining approximately 6,500 customers. Forty-nine former Covista employees also have joined PAETEC, according to the company. PAETEC, a privately held company based in Fairport, N.Y., says it anticipates partnering with sales agents that had been working with Covista.

Wholesaler OnFiber Communications has expanded service in Phoenix, bringing to 16 the number of markets where the company operates metro networks. The 25-route-mile network will link major carrier hotels and PoPs in Phoenix. Large enterprises also can purchase wavelength, SONET or Ethernet services from OnFiber through its AdaptiveBuild solution.

Equinix Inc., provider of network-neutral data centers and Internet exchange services, has added the Equinix GigE Exchange Portal, an analysis tool to monitor traffic exchange or ‘peering’ relationships among ISPs, content providers, and other network service providers through the company’s GigE Exchange Service. The portal provides detailed reporting to networks and content providers using Equinix GigE Exchange, which facilitates ISP and content peering among Equinix customers through a central switching fabric. It also offers customers an integrated graphical view of their Exchange ports, providing a reporting tool to view bandwidth use and peer traffic flow.

MCI has developed a service that allows companies to create virtual connections through a Web-based provisioning tool called PeerMaker to interconnect with the company’s MAE facilities located across the country from New York City to San Jose. Customers purchasing MCI’s MAE Extended Services still must buy a port at one of the switching facilities and it takes up to 45 days to activate the port. MCI is using its UUNET IP backbone network to physically connect one company to another to facilitate peering. Customers also can use the service to connect locations, essentially building a network.

Cogent Communications Group Inc., an Internet carrier based in Washington, D.C., has acquired most of the assets of Unlimited Fiber Optics, a San Francisco-based ISP. Cogent disclosed purchasing a network located in Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco and the rights to data service customers. The agreement marks Cogents fourth acquisition this year. Earlier this year, the company purchased telecommunications providers and networks in Europe.

Qwest Communications International Inc. and Bell Canada have signed a multiyear interconnection agreement to enhance the quality and reliability of telephone services to residential and business customers making international long-distance calls between Canada and the United States. International voice traffic between Canada and the United States, at 12 billion minutes per year, represents the largest volume of international long-distance traffic in the world.

Global Crossing Ltd. has agreed to sell its submarine cable installation and maintenance company, Global Marine Systems, and transfer its 49 percent stake in S.B. Submarine Systems Company Ltd. for up to $14.8 million and the assumption of $117 million in capital lease debt. Bridgehouse Marine Ltd. will purchase Global Marine Systems from Global Crossing and receive its stake in S.B. Submarine Systems Company (SBSS), a partnership between Global Crossing and China Telecom, Global Crossing said. SBSS, based in Shanghai, provides submarine installation and maintenance services throughout Asia. The transfer is subject to the approval of China Telecom and Chinese regulatory review.