Lumos, a 100 percent fiber-optic internet and total home Wi-Fi service provider in the Mid-Atlantic, celebrated its launch in Burlington, N.C., with a ribbon cutting adjacent to the Burlington Athletic Stadium. The company’s network brings reliable, high-speed internet service to the community, empowering residents and small businesses with enhanced digital experiences as the first fiber-optic internet provider for many.
With Lumos’ arrival in Burlington, residents can access fast internet speeds, providing them with the bandwidth necessary for working from home, remote learning, attending telehealth appointments, streaming, gaming and more. The expansion is a result of significant investment by Lumos and grant funding through the N.C. GREAT Program.
“Lumos is a proud leader in the fiber industry, bringing our symmetrical high-speed internet service to underserved cities and towns,” said Brian Stading, CEO of Lumos “Today’s launch represents our ongoing commitment to bridge the digital divide and will revolutionize how the Burlington community experiences the internet. We look forward to working with our federal, state, and local partners to continue this expansion in the months and years to come.”
The launch received White House attention.
“President Biden understands that high-speed internet is a necessity to work, learn, and play in today’s digital landscape. That’s why the Biden-Harris Administration is investing more than $2.8 billion to ensure communities and families in North Carolina have access to high-speed internet,” said Asad Ramzanali, Chief of Staff for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, who attended and spoke at the event as part of the administration’s “Investing in America” tour.
“Today we’re thrilled to see Lumos invest in expanding internet access to almost 40,000 people in Alamance County; that means 40,000 children who can more easily complete homework or 40,000 more patients who can access telehealth appointments.”
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed into law by Biden includes a historic $65 billion for high-speed internet access and affordability, which includes funding for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program and for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). In June 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce awarded North Carolina nearly $1.5 billion for high-speed internet infrastructure in BEAD funds.
That program follows other significant investments, including the American Rescue Plan Act’s Capital Projects Fund and others that have been incorporated into North Carolina’s GREAT Program, which funds high-speed internet service to underserved areas. The funds, in combination with the ACP, as well as private investments from companies like Lumos, help close the digital divide in the state and across the country.
The ACP “helps households pay their internet bills [and] we are excited that Lumos is part of this program,” said Ramzanali, praising the company’s provision of a low-cost, high-speed internet service offering for eligible households.
“Today we celebrate Lumos and the work that their team is doing to help expand high-speed internet access in Alamance County and across the state,” said North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. “Together, we can ensure that every North Carolinian has the tools they need to succeed in our increasingly digital society.”
Lumos announced plans to invest $750 million over the next five years to bring fiber internet to millions. To check if Lumos’ fiber-optic internet is available at your address, visit www.lumosfiber.com/builtforthefuture or learn more about the company at www.LumosFiber.com.
