Lumos Networks sees data revenues climb to $8.9M in Q4 2011

Lumos Networks (Nasdaq: LMOS), the former wireline division of NTELOS, found itself in a profitable situation in Q4 2011 with revenues rising to $51.1 million, up from $41 million Q4 2010.

For the year 2011, the ILEC reported that total revenue was $207.4 million, up from $146 million for 2010.

The service provider's results reflect its FiberNet operations, which it acquired from One Communications in December 2010. In 2011, Lumos completed the integration of both FiberNet and a large portion of Allegheny Energy's fiber network.

A key highlight of Lumos' revenue mix in 2011 was data services, which rose 17 percent to $8.9 million. To support the expansion of enterprise data sales it rolled out Metro Ethernet and IP-based voice services in 30 markets and expanded its on-net building fiber presence to 1,051 in Q4.

Michael Moneymaker, president of Lumos Networks said that they "are positioned to increase data sales in 2012 as we now focus our resources on the data growth opportunities ahead of us."

No less compelling was Lumos' wholesale business, particularly fiber to the tower (FTTT) service sales for area wireless operators. In Q4 2011, Lumos increased its fiber connections to cell sites 12 percent, ending the year with a total of 148 sites connected to its fiber network. This year, it has contracts to build an additional 150 sites.

Overall, Q4 2011 wholesale data rose 24 percent over Q4 2010 and 10 percent over Q3 2011.

As expected, Lumos saw continued losses in its RLEC segment. During the quarter it lost 647 voice lines and 31 broadband lines, while adding 295 video subscribers.   

With data services being what Moneymaker calls "the catalyst for long-term revenue growth," the service provider has forecast total revenues between $200 to $205 million for 2012 and Q1 revenue of $50 to $51 million.

For more:
- see the earnings release

Special Report: Wireline in the fourth quarter 2011

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