County staff: several firms installing fiber across Smith County; project still underway

County staff told the Smith County Commissioners Court on Jan. 7, 2025, that multiple companies and some electric cooperatives are installing fiber‑optic cable across the county, and that work remains ongoing in many areas.

Why it matters: expanded fiber access can affect economic development, broadband access and permitting for road and right‑of‑way work.

Details from staff: the court received a set of pipe and utility line installation requests for specific county roads (County Road 384 in Winona for a gas line; County Road 192 for an electric pole; County Roads 393 and 384 for Charter Spectrum fiber and vaults; County Road 235 for Jackson Water Supply Corporation). In response to a commissioner’s question about countywide fiber progress, county staff said Charter Spectrum is one provider among several, and that some electric cooperatives are placing fiber on existing poles. Staff said individual permits and contracts are being handled separately and that several upcoming road segments will receive fiber next week. Staff estimated some cable runs are as long as two to three miles and said installation is “encompassing most of all the county,” while acknowledging areas remain to be completed.

What was not said: staff did not provide a comprehensive timeline for county‑wide completion, specific miles completed to date, or a full roster of participating providers beyond the examples named on the record.

Next steps: utility companies will continue permitted work in the county right‑of‑way; planning and permitting remain under county staff oversight.