New internet company moving into Valley

(WKBN) — A new fiber-optic internet and home Wi-Fi provider will soon be moving into the Valley.

Lumos, a provider in the Mid-Atlantic, is stretching its coverage area to Ohio. The company is investing $230 million to build nearly 2,000 miles of its 100% Fiber Optic network, providing homes and small businesses in Mahoning and Trumbull county with internet access.

As Lumos’ first expansion in Ohio, the company will provide access to fiber internet through scalable plans to meet the growing digital demand for families and businesses, the company said in a Wednesday release.

“This nearly a quarter of a billion-dollar investment in the Greater Youngstown community reflects our dedication to expanding our fast and reliable fiber internet to all communities, not just the big cities,” said Lumos CEO Brain Stading. “We’re proud to be the first 100% fiber provider in the Mahoning Valley, bringing critical infrastructure to the area and helping to pave the pathway for economic growth in these areas.”

Lumos said the expansion aims to bring fiber-optic internet to underserved and unserved areas, bolstering economic growth and benefiting the communities in and around Youngstown and Warren for years to come.

“Access to high-speed broadband is essential in our community,” said Trumbull County Commissioner Denny Malloy. “Yet, many residents still find themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide. With Lumos Fiber’s investment in broadband fiber, both our rural and urban communities will now have a chance to thrive in a new digitally empowered world.”

Engineering work for this new investment will begin in late 2024, and residents will receive communication by mail once engineering and construction begin. To sign up for email updates, click here .

In addition to bringing service to the Valley, Lumos said its expansion will provide job opportunities for those in the Mahoning Valley area. A list of open positions can be found here .

This news marks the company’s first expansion since its announcement of a joint venture with T-Mobile and EQT in April 2024.

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