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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 PG8MxM9HawICqcqIm7cSxVZ7NdEeR4ht130+6+3c2xNfqyUngsjMSVOpwpGh6BEe
 Xsat0OsRg3BZpJLPX0hNhQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-03-021033.txt : 20030918
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-03-021033.hdr.sgml : 20030918
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030918155641
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-03-021033
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030908
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030918

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			OCONNELL DENNIS
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001264148

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-23269
		FILM NUMBER:		03901306

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ABOVENET INC
		STREET 2:		360 HAMILTON AVENUE
		CITY:			WHITE PLAINS
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10601
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9144216700

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
</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>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001043533</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ABOVENET INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>None</issuerTradingSymbol>
  </issuer>
  <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001264148</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>OCONNELL DENNIS</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>0</isOfficer>
      <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
      <isOther>0</isOther>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
  </reportingOwner>
  <ownerSignature>
    <signatureName>/s/ Dennis O???Connell</signatureName>
    <signatureDate>2003-09-16</signatureDate>
  </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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