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Crews with fiber optic cables worked on Phelps Road in Schley as part of the installation process for Lumos’ high-speed fiber internet service in Orange County. The county government and Lumos recently celebrated the launch of this service, marking an important milestone in their public-private partnership.

The goal of this partnership is to improve internet access for around 6,000 underserved residents in Orange County. Lumos Vice President Derek Kelly highlighted the various benefits that improved online access can bring to these residents. It opens up opportunities for remote schooling, working from home, running small businesses, and accessing telemedicine services. The partnership aims to bring these possibilities within reach for Orange County residents.

The need for better internet access in the county became even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people had to rely on limited internet options, such as sitting in cars outside schools or offices for connectivity. County Commissioner Earl McKee and Commissioner Sally Greene took action by forming a broadband task force to address the issue. They recommended using federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to explore a public-private partnership, ultimately selecting Lumos as the provider for the county.

The million in federal funds allocated for the project will primarily benefit underserved and unserved residents. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide by providing improved broadband access to these individuals. Additionally, Lumos is incentivized to extend and enhance broadband service for thousands of other residents in Orange County. Once the project is completed, Lumos estimates that over 28,000 residents will have access to high-speed fiber internet.

The installation process is currently ongoing for Phase 1, which covers the Cedar Grove area northwest of downtown Hillsborough. Phase 2 will include Schley and the surrounding area, with service expected to begin in the fall. Phase 3 will extend coverage to the Buckhorn community, the Eno township, and the most northern area of Orange County.

Lumos acknowledges the challenges of building infrastructure in the northern part of the county due to large properties and numerous trees. However, with the support of the public-private partnership and the use of federal funds, the aim is to make northern Orange County comparable to areas like Hillsborough or Mebane in terms of internet access.

The ongoing broadband expansion partnership between Orange County and Lumos is expected to bring significant improvements to internet access, benefiting residents and promoting economic development.

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