Lumen Targets Fiber Expansion in Rural Markets

By [Your Name], Alayaran.com

DENVER - Lumen Technologies, a leading telecommunications provider, is capitalizing on its extensive copper customer base to drive growth in fiber broadband, particularly in rural markets. The company currently serves 18 million copper customers, a significant number of whom are in rural areas, presenting a lucrative opportunity for fiber upgrades.

Maxine Stansbury, speaking at a recent industry event, highlighted the potential within this customer base. "Of those 18 million, there's a sizable piece that's rural," she said. "However, there are about 8 million homes with potential for fiber upgrades, which we believe is a reasonable estimate." Currently, Lumen has already converted 4 million homes to fiber.

The strategic focus on fiber is driven by the attractive market dynamics in areas where fiber infrastructure is being developed. "The markets where fiber is being built are attractive," Stansbury noted. "We are the largest asset out there that has yet to be consolidated in terms of fiber potential."

Fiber Broadband Growth

During the third quarter, Lumen reported significant progress in its fiber broadband initiative:

• Subscriber Growth: Lumen added 43,000 Quantum Fiber subscribers, marking its best quarter for fiber net additions to date, with the total now surpassing 1 million.
• Location Expansion: The company increased its fiber-enabled locations by 131,000, reaching over four million locations as of September 30.
• Penetration Rates: Legacy copper broadband penetration was approximately 9%, while Quantum Fiber penetration stood at around 26%.

Despite these advancements, the average revenue per user (ARPU) for fiber remained stable at $62, showing a slight increase year-over-year.

Future Outlook

Lumen is on track to meet its annual target of adding 500,000 fiber-enabled locations. Stansbury expressed confidence in the company's strategy, stating, "We are pacing towards our targeted annual build target this year."

This push towards fiber not only enhances service quality for customers but also positions Lumen as a key player in the evolving telecommunications landscape, particularly in underserved rural markets.

For more insights on Lumen's earnings and the broader broadband market, visit Alayaran.com's Business section. Stay updated with the latest in high-speed transmission systems by subscribing to our newsletters.