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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 TlJaBgnZHuRmFCmJziavwh26z9c1mQr7yKEmtwc+PDgx8Lrp5qSI5iKydaG30BFH
 8B1nMVavjjpKgS6XUZ2TKA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-03-021048.txt : 20030918
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-03-021048.hdr.sgml : 20030918
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030918161552
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-03-021048
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030908
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030918

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ABOVENET INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001043533
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMMUNICATION SERVICES, NEC [4899]
		IRS NUMBER:				113168327
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		360 HAMILTON AVE
		STREET 2:		1 NORTH LEXINGTON AVE
		CITY:			WHITE PLAINS
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10601
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9144216700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		360 HAMILTON AVE
		STREET 2:		1 NORTH LEXINGTON AVE
		CITY:			WHITE PLAINS
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10601

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	METROMEDIA FIBER NETWORK INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970925

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	NATIONAL FIBER NETWORK INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970806

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GERDELMAN JOHN W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001119837
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-COMPUTER PROGRAMMING, DATA PROCESSING, ETC. [7370]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-23269
		FILM NUMBER:		03901380

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6 PARKWAY NORTH
		CITY:			DEERFIELD
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60015
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8472826838

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O GENUITY INC
		STREET 2:		3 VAN DE GRAAFF DRIVE
		CITY:			BURLINGTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01803
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a3.xml
<DESCRIPTION>3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
  <periodOfReport>2003-09-08</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001043533</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ABOVENET INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NONE</issuerTradingSymbol>
  </issuer>
  <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001119837</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GERDELMAN JOHN W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ABOVENET, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>360 HAMILTON AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WHITE PLAINS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10601</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
      <isDirector>1</isDirector>
      <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
      <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
      <isOther>0</isOther>
      <officerTitle>Chief Exec Officer</officerTitle>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
  </reportingOwner>
  <derivativeTable>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Stock Units</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>0</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>105000</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeHolding>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Employee Stock Options</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>20.95</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
        <footnoteId id="F3"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>2013-09-08</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>42000</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeHolding>
  </derivativeTable>
  <footnotes>
    <footnote id="F1">The Stock Units have been granted under the Issuer's Management Incentive Plan (the "Incentive Plan") pursuant to the terms of a Stock Unit Agreement between the Reporting Person and the Issuer (the "Stock Unit Agreement").  One-fifth of the Stock Units vested on September 8, 2003 (i.e., not subject to forfeiture).  The shares of Common Stock underlying these vested Stock Units will be delivered to the Reporting Person on January 2, 2005.  An additional one-fifth of the Stock Units will vest on September 8, 2004 and the shares of Common Stock underlying these Stock Units will also be delivered to the Reporting Person on January 2, 2005.  The remaining three-fifths will vest and the underlying shares of Common Stock will be delivered in equal installments on each of September 8, 2005, 2006 and 2007.  The Issuer has not stated when the shares of Common Stock underlying these Stock Units will be delivered to the Reporting Person.</footnote>
    <footnote id="F2">Upon a Change of Control (as defined in the Incentive Plan), 50% of all unvested Stock Units will immediately vest.  After the Change in Control, unvested Stock Units will continue to vest in accordance with the original vesting schedule provided in the Stock Unit Agreement.</footnote>
    <footnote id="F3">The options have been granted under the Incentive Plan pursuant to the terms of a Stock Option Agreement between the Reporting Person and the Issuer (the "Stock Option Agreement").  One-third of the options will vest on September 8, 2004 and an additional one-third will vest on each of September 8, 2005 and 2006.  Upon a Change in Control, 50% of all unvested options will immediately vest and all vested options will remain exercisable for remaining original term of the options.  After the Change in Control, unvested options will continue to vest in accordance with the original vesting schedule provided in the Stock Option Agreement.</footnote>
  </footnotes>
  <ownerSignature>
    <signatureName>/s/ John Gerdelman</signatureName>
    <signatureDate>2003-09-18</signatureDate>
  </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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