Let (X, ∼) be a combinatorial graph the vertex set X of which is a discrete metric space. We suppose that a discrete group G acts freely on (X, ∼) and that the fundamental domain with respect to the action of G contains only a finite set of points. A graph with these properties is called periodic with respect to the group G. We examine the Fredholm property and the essential spectrum of band-dominated operators acting on the spaces l p (X) or c0(X), where (X, ∼) is a periodic graph. Our approach is based on the thorough use of band-dominated operators. It generalizes the necessary and sufficient results obtained in [39] in the special case X = G = Z n and in [42] in case X = G is a general finitely generated discrete group.
Mathematics Subject Classification (2000). Primary 47B36; Secondary 47B39, 47A53.