Lumos/T-Mobile
Robert Dalton
As the United States entered the 1930s, though most cities and larger towns had been connected to the growing electricity grid, rural America, including much of North Carolina, was largely excluded from that resource, which was increasingly essential to full participation in America society and economy of the time. Only about 11% of rural areas had electricity.
Pres. Franklin Roosevelt under his New Deal created the Rural Electrification Administration to help rural America become integrated into the larger American society. Within about 10 years, about 90% of the nation had been wired, no doubt, including much of North Carolina.
More recently, Orange County realized that a similar effort was needed to ensure that all the county was fully connected to the internet with fiber optic cable, a very positive endeavor. Today’s internet is now essential to full participation in American society and economy.
The agenda for the 16 Sept 2025 meeting of the BOCC notes that this project supports three goals of the county’s strategic plan:
· Goal 5, public education and learning community
· Goal 6, a diverse and vibrant economy
· Goal 2, a healthy community.
The county engaged with North State Communications, now Lumos, now part of a multi-billion dollar company, T-Mobile, to bring cable to underserved and unserved areas of the county.
But now, Lumos/T-Mobile is asking the county to alter its contract to exclude over 500 homes in areas previously promised to have this better form of internet. These homes include those in Southwest Orange County and other areas. T-Mobile had total revenue in 2024 of $81.4B, net income of $11.3B, and total assets of $202B. The company has the resources to finish their commitment.
If the County agrees to Lumos’ request, it will be abandoning its promise to residents in Southwest Orange County and other areas, in hopes of maybe, possibly receiving state money.
Please insist that Lumos/T-Mobile fulfill its responsibility. ALL of our county deserves high-speed fiber optic cable. If you accept Lumos/T-Mobile proposal, you will be trading a legal contract for mere hopes, and backtracking on your own commitments.
Robert Dalton
Jamezetta Bedford
Sent: Sunday, September 14, 2025 10:28 AM
To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Cc: Robert Dalton <rsda...@gmail.com>
Subject: Lumos/T-Mobile
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Robert Dalton
Dear Commissioners,I write to thank Commissioners McKee and Hamilton for their votes on 16 Sept. 2025, to hold Lumos/T-Mobile, and to hold the county itself, to their commitments to bring to all of Orange County today's internet technology. Regrettably, my area and other areas of the county are now forced to live on with "inadequate" (aka lousy) internet connections. I know that the county hopes for future state funding, given the increasing fiscal pressure on the state, due to a number of factors, I place little stock in those hopes.Most assuredly unhappy,
Robert DaltonRobert Dalton
On Tue, Sep 16, 2025 at 7:57 AM Robert Dalton <rsda...@gmail.com> wrote:Ms. Bedford,My initial reply to your message was emotional, I admit. Now that I have settled a bit, let me add the following.One. I can understand houses that are "unserved" by the internet. Please explain the difference between "underserved" and "inadequate" in regards to internet service.Two. That Lumos/T-Mobile has overspent, I accept. But assuming they engaged in due diligence before taking on this project, they would have allowed for that risk.Three, as I wrote before,T-Mobile has deep financial resources to complete the original plan, IF that company wants to be a positive corporate "person."Four, that Bald Head Island off our coast has high speed internet cable, and we and other areas of Orange County, so close to Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, don't, is a public shame.Robert Dalton
Travis Myren
Mr. Dalton,
The individual addresses included in the amendment are itemized on Attachment B3 to that agenda item. I have copied over the addresses that are included on Maynard Farm Rd. below.
I have also copied the County’s CIO, Robert Reynolds, on this email if you have any specific questions about the proposed deployment.
Thank you for your email.
Travis
1398029992ORANGE 6600 MAYNARD FARM RD CHAPEL HILL 27516Orange 83 1074405506ORANGE 6610 MAYNARD FARM RD CHAPEL HILL 27516Orange 83 1074405512ORANGE 6627 MAYNARD FARM RD CHAPEL HILL 27516Orange 83 1074405470ORANGE 6628 MAYNARD FARM RD CHAPEL HILL 27516Orange 83 1074392869ORANGE 6703 MAYNARD FARM RD CHAPEL HILL 27516Orange 83 1074392845ORANGE 6711 MAYNARD FARM RD CHAPEL HILL 27516Orange 83 1074392819ORANGE 6747 MAYNARD FARM RD CHAPEL HILL 27516Orange 83
Travis Myren
County Manager
O: 919-245-2308 M: 608-345-1526
Robert Dalton
Robert Dalton
Travis Myren
Yes. Mr. Reynolds will get you in touch with the appropriate contacts at Lumos.
Travis
Robert Dalton
Robert Reynolds
Good morning Mr. Dalton,
I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
I will respond to you directly in a separate email with contact information for Lumos services.
Thank you,
Robert Reynolds
Chief Information Officer
Information Technologies | Orange County Government
O. 919.245.2276
M. 919.943.2904