Exciting Times Ahead in Columbia as Lumos Gets Back to Work!
Hey there, Columbia residents! We have some exciting news to share with you this week. Lumos, a fiber optic internet company based out of North Carolina, is back in action after a bit of a rocky patch. They’ve just kicked off a significant project in the Midlands, starting with the gorgeous Murraywood neighborhood near Irmo.
What’s Happening in Your Neighborhood?
Last week, Lumos crews started to bury fiber optic cables along Willow Creek Drive, with the goal of expanding high-speed internet access into more homes. If you’ve spotted those small plastic construction notices popping up in your yards, that’s a good sign! The company is gearing up to work quickly so that residents can enjoy the benefits of better internet as soon as possible.
Derek Kelly, the vice president of market development for Lumos, was eager to share, “We have a decent-sized build in Irmo where many customers didn’t have fiber-to-home options before. We’re also continuing our efforts in Cayce and Lexington.”
Improving Connectivity for All
But that’s not all! Kelly mentioned that Lumos has plans to enhance its services in Irmo by adding WiFi to local parks. This means you could enjoy some streaming or online work while soaking up the sun. With the rise in streaming services and more people working from home, the demand for high-speed internet has increased significantly – and Lumos is ready to meet that demand.
A Bit of a Bumpy Ride
It’s worth noting that Lumos had a bit of a troubled past in Columbia. Just last year, their utility crews accidentally caused a series of gas leaks, which even led to evacuations in the Elmwood Park area. Yikes! There were also incidents where crews struck water mains during the summer. However, the city has allowed Lumos to continue its work after they took steps to ensure safety. Kelly reassured residents, saying, “While construction can be messy, rest assured, we’ll leave your area just as neat or better than it started.”
Community Engagement and Support
Understanding that any utility work can feel intrusive, Kelly emphasized their commitment to minimizing disruption. They diligently dig to locate existing utilities to avoid any accidents and encourage residents to call the contact number on those notices for any concerns. “We generally wrap up projects in just a few days; we try to work efficiently,” he added.
Investing in the Future
And here’s a cherry on top: Lumos plans to invest a whopping $100 million in our area, aimed at expanding access to high-speed internet for many residents who currently find themselves without it. This investment not only promotes better connectivity but also gives an added boost to economic development in Columbia and the surrounding areas.
With all these plans in motion, it’s clear that Lumos is dedicated to improving our internet access, and they’re not stopping at Irmo. They’ve received the necessary agreements to lay down 1,200 miles of fiber optic cable throughout Richland and Lexington counties over time. They’re also actively operating in North Carolina and Virginia.
What’s Next for Irmo?
In addition to Lumos, the town of Irmo is innovating as well. They are currently reviewing a proposal for Spectrum to lay new cables in part of town that requires digging up a portion of Veterans Park. Keeping our parks intact while enhancing community resources is certainly a balancing act!
Stay Tuned!
So, Columbia friends, keep your eyes peeled for those little notices and construction activity in your neighborhoods. Exciting changes are on the way, and soon you could be surfing the web at lightning speeds!
Let’s embrace these developments together and look forward to the enhanced connectivity that lies ahead!
