Lumos Asks FCC to Preempt Two Ohio Counties’ Rights-of-Way
Fiber provider says local permitting requirements near double anticipated project costs
WASHINGTON, Aug. 10, 2026 – Two northeastern Ohio counties are hiring outside counsel to fight a federal petition filed by fiber optic provider Lumos.
Lumos filed its petition on June 18 asking the Federal Communications Commission to preempt Stark and Mahoning Counties’ local right-of-way requirements under Section 253 of the Communications Act, arguing that permitting requirements in both counties have effectively caused it to abandon projects that would have reached roughly 200,000 Ohio households.
