Ting Internet, once seen as a possible competitor to the stranglehold of companies like Comcast on Alexandria customers, has told ALXnow it has “temporarily paused fiber deployment” in Alexandria.
Ting Internet was one of two companies, along with Lumos, approved by the City Council to piggyback off broadband internet service cables the City was laying down for a new municipal network. The goal was to offer more competition to Comcast. While Lumos’ Alexandria plans didn’t take off, Ting started offering fiber internet in March 2023 in the Del Ray, Beverly Hills, North Ridge, and Lynhaven.
The announcement of the pause is likely not much of a surprise to Alexandrians following the internet company’s stalled progress. In November, the company announced it was laying off 42% of its workforce.
The company told ALXnow that it has “temporarily paused fiber deployment” in Alexandria “to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents.”
Ting said it “believes open and transparent communication is crucial to building strong relationships within the communities we serve.” The company quietly deleted its Alexandria construction status page — which now redirects to the homepage.
The company has been notorious for striking other utilities while digging to install fiber lines in Alexandria and an outage that started on Saturday has not been fully resolved as of noon on Monday.
ALXnow reached out to Ting with a series of questions about their Alexandria plans, including how much of the company’s five-zone plan is currently covered by Ting. Ting did not answer the questions but instead sent back questions the company wrote, their own responses, and never responded to follow up questions.
Ting PR, Reputation and Social Listening Manager Jasmin Cruell wrote, in response to questions ALXnow did not send:
1. Can you provide an update on the status of Ting’s fiber construction in Alexandria?
We are partnering with the City of Alexandria, to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents and Ting Internet has temporarily paused fiber deployment. Ting and the City have a regular cadence of communication and are collaborating to ensure optimal coordination with existing city infrastructure.2. Why did Ting proactively stop construction?
Ting Internet prioritizes and understands the importance of minimizing challenges and ensuring the safety of its residents. We acknowledge the recent incidents where crews encountered existing utilities. While we adhere to all required safety protocols, we believe a proactive and collaborative approach is essential for the Alexandria community.We are committed to working closely with the City of Alexandria to ensure a safe and efficient deployment of the fiber network.
3. How is Ting collaborating with the City of Alexandria on this project?
Ting and the City of Alexandria remain in regular contact and are committed to a transparent partnership. Together, we strive to balance the safety of all residents with the responsible expansion of high-speed internet options, ensuring the community has greater access and choice.4. What steps are being taken to ensure public safety when construction resumes?
Ting is actively collaborating with the City of Alexandria and maintaining regular communication with city officials to ensure compliance with all relevant requirements and specifications.5. What is Ting’s timeline for moving forward?
Ting Internet and the City of Alexandria remain dedicated to open communication and collaboration as they work closely toward a shared vision for expanded internet choice.6. How can residents stay informed about construction updates?
We will work closely with the City of Alexandria to determine the most effective channels to keep residents informed. Ting believes open and transparent communication is crucial to building strong relationships within the communities we serve.
