Another company soon will be digging in The Villages to install fiber optic cable for internet access.
Lumos, which works with T-Mobile, presented its installation plans Friday to supervisors of community development districts 1-3.
Brian Whaley, a vice president of engineering and construction, said the project will begin in May or June near Morse Boulevard and U.S. Hwy. 441, where the company has an office, and move southward.
Other companies have installed fiber optic cable in The Villages, including Quantum Fiber. Villagers were outraged when that digging became intrusive. Villagers said the work was loud and intrusive and damaged driveways and irrigation systems.
Whaley said the company has no contract with municipalities, but only is required to apply for permits.
The company, which started in North Carolina, has installed cable in Florida from Fort Myers to Pensacola and has worked in Citrus County. It also has installed cable in 10 other southern and midwestern states.
Whaley said Lumos emphasizes communication and will use email and flyers to inform residents of its work.
Digging 36-inch holes and using a horizontal drill, workers can avoid utility lines and sprinkler systems, he said, adding that the cables will be installed in the right-of-way area.
Before digging begins, Whaley said engineers will tour a neighborhood in a special vehicle designed to collect data.
CDD 3 Supervisor Terry Biddle said other companies have raised concerns of residents when unidentified workers traipsed through their yards.
Whaley said all Lumos employees will be clearly identified.
“It sounds like you’re going to do a pretty thorough job of communication,” said CDD 3 chairman Bill Ray.