DURHAM – Internet users wanting faster speeds will soon have another option for service with High Point-based Lumos saying it will invest $50 million to expand its network in portions of Durham and Orange Counties.

Lumos recently received a $7 million grant from the state of North Carolina to add more fiber in Alamance and Randolph Counties. The company took on a new name earlier this month, and also added a new chief executive officer. The company traces its roots to the former North State Communications and Virginia-based Lumos Networks. They were combined as part of a deal made by Cox Communications.

The expansion will begin in 2023 and will eventually reach some 35,000 homes and businesses, Lumos said.

Google Fiber, AT&T, Frontier and other providers also offer access in certain areas of the two counties.

Speeds up to 2 gigabits person second – more than 10 times faster than conventional access via cable – will be available, according to Lumos.

Business plans start at $99 per month.

Household plans begin at $50 per month and scale to $100 per month depending on internet speed.

Brian Stading (Lumos photo)

“The world is more connected than ever. Lumos aims to unlock the potential of the digital world – from work-from-home environments, to telemedicine, to a gig economy – by providing 100% Fiber Optic Internet, we are helping to ensure our local communities and small businesses don’t get left behind because their digital infrastructure can’t keep up,” said Brian Stading, Lumos’ CEO, who was named to the job in August. “This expansion highlights Lumos’ commitment to bringing competitive choice and the best technology available to the community, creating a connection to the future.”

Last week Stading met with Gov. Roy Cooper when he announced the latest round of broadband grants from the state.

Lumos already offers fiber access across some 200,000 homes in North Carolina and Virginia.

“We are already working with Lumos to provide high-speed internet access to more than 24,000 addresses in Orange County,” said Renee Price, Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, “And we’re delighted that this additional project will provide fiber broadband access to another 1,500 homes and businesses in the eastern portion of Orange County.”

NorthState now independent, following sale of parent company Segra to Cox Communications