North Carolina internet company bringing fiber optic internet to Pinellas

Business news is about to get to inboxes even faster for many readers based in Pinellas County and around the state. Lumos, a fiber internet and Wi-Fi provider based out of High Point, North Carolina, recently announced its first expansion into the Florida market. 

Osceola, Escambia, Citrus, Lee, Pinellas and Charlotte counties will soon have 7,500 miles of fiber optic internet built into their infrastructure. Once complete, Lumos will have a presence in eight states and service almost half a million homes and businesses, the company says.

"Reliable, high-speed connectivity isn’t just a luxury — it’s essential," says Brian Stading, CEO of Lumos in a statement. "At Lumos, we are committed to providing world-class fiber technology that delivers faster speeds, greater reliability, and an exceptional customer experience."

The move comes on the heels of a joint venture with EQT, a Sweden-based equity group and T-Mobile, which purchased Lumos last year for $2 billion, according to Business North Carolina. The company has been growing since then, with Florida being its third market announcement in 2025. 

It’s a welcome expansion for the state, which announced $223 million in state funding dedicated to broadband access in rural areas last year.

“Expanding high-speed, reliable internet access across Florida is significant to strengthening our workforce, improving education opportunities, and driving economic growth,” says Mark Wilson, Florida Chamber of Commerce president and CEO in the statement. “The Florida Chamber supports efforts like Lumos’ fiber-optic investment, which will help close the digital divide and ensure more local businesses, students, and families can fully participate in today’s economy.”