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1 <br /> ONCI T <br /> ORANGE COUNTY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES <br /> Robert Reynolds,Chief Information Officer I roreynolds@orangecountync.gov 1 131 W.Margaret Lane,Hillsborough,NC 27278 1919.245.2276 <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> DATE: October 21, 2025 <br /> TO: Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> FROM: Robert Reynolds, Chief Information Officer <br /> SUBJECT: Broadband Project Update <br /> At its September 16th, 2025, meeting, the Orange County Board of Commissioners approved an amendment <br /> to the Lumos Broadband contract following notification from Lumos that it would be unable to fully meet <br /> the original contract terms. As a result, the contract scope was negotiated and revised, and the total <br /> number of addresses to be served was reduced from 6,370 to 5,852. <br /> This update is intended to address the following questions raised after the meeting and to provide an <br /> update on the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and Stop Gap funding programs from the <br /> NC Department of Information Technology (NCDIT), Broadband Infrastructure Office. <br /> How many homes have conduit but no fiber? <br /> According to Lumos, homes are not an accurate measure of conduit installation because conduit progress is <br /> tracked by linear footage, not by the number of homes passed. Lumos has completed less than 10% of the <br /> conduit footage in the three areas covered by the amendment. While some homes and neighborhoods may <br /> have visible conduit in place, fiber has not yet been installed. This is because crews were working ahead of <br /> schedule in some areas before construction was paused due to previously reported cost overruns. Under <br /> normal circumstances, fiber is typically placed and homes activated within 90 days of conduit installation. <br /> How many homes on the list of 665 addresses have access to other internet options? <br /> Based on the most recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) broadband availability data, <br /> approximately 20 of the 665 identified addresses appear to be served by either AT&T Fiber or Spectrum. <br /> This information has been verified using each provider's publicly available address qualification tools. <br /> However, it is important to note that mapping and availability data can contain irregularities, particularly in <br /> rural or transitioning areas. Service availability may be overstated or understated depending on how <br /> An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer <br /> www.orangecountync.gov <br />