Lumos/T‑Mobile outlines private fiber build across Trumbull County; questions raised about construction notices and easements

Steve Kristen of Lumos Fiber updated commissioners on a privately funded fiber build in Trumbull County March 17, describing progress in Warren, Liberty, Girard, Champion and Howland and saying crews had put shovels in the ground in Howland.

Kristen, who said Lumos is a joint venture with EQT and T‑Mobile that will market the service as T‑Fiber, said the company aims for rapid installation (goal: two‑day target for home installs after order) and a one‑week restoration window for yard work. He emphasized construction identification (door hangers, yard cards and truck signage) and a construction hotline to address locate issues and resident questions.

Commissioners and staff asked about contractor identification at work sites, customer counts, and coordination with county records for easements. Julie Green and county engineers noted locates and easement identification in unplatted areas are challenging; staff advised private contractors to work with the engineer's office to minimize utility hits and to contact the county with public‑records or locate questions.

Steve said he would provide customer and penetration figures upon request and encouraged residents to call the company's construction hotline if they observe unmarked work. Commissioners accepted the update as informational and asked staff to help coordinate easement and locate questions with Lumos’ contractors.