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Paducah hears Lumos Fiber proposal for 10-year franchise; company promises mostly underground build
Summary
Paducah commissioners introduced a proposed 10-year nonexclusive telecommunications franchise with Lumos Fiber; company representatives said roughly 80% of the network would be underground, build is phased in 500-home hubs and service could be available within about 60 days of rights-of-way completion in an area.
The Paducah Board of Commissioners on Feb. 24 introduced an ordinance to grant a nonexclusive 10-year telecommunications franchise to Lumos Fiber of Kentucky LLC and heard a presentation from company representatives about the proposed build.
City staff said Lumos' bid met ordinance requirements and recommended awarding the franchise. Grace Siml, director of market development for Lumos, described the company's background and benefits of fiber-to-the-home, including symmetric multi-gig speeds and increased consumer choice. George Kemp, director of construction relations, said Lumos typically places about 80% of new fiber underground, using aerial construction only where crossing railroads, highways or particularly hard rock makes underground installation impractical.
Lumos described phased construction using "fiber distribution hubs" that serve about 500 homes each; the company estimated phase-one work would take roughly three years and said it aims to enable service for customers about 60 days after rights-of-way construction in their area is complete. Lumos also outlined resident communications (90-day notices, door hangers and call-center ticketing with 24-hour response targets), restoration commitments and a surety bond to ensure cleanup after construction.
Commissioners asked whether Lumos would serve underserved areas and requested the city's staff and franchise maps be used to coordinate coverage. Lumos said it would consider municipal input for phase two and could expand phase one by agreement. The ordinance was introduced for future action; no franchise vote occurred at the meeting.
