Thousands of Irvine, California homes and businesses will gain access to high-speed internet through a major network expansion that promises to reshape the city’s digital connectivity landscape. Cityside Fiber announced plans to invest over $50 million in local infrastructure, working directly with city officials to build comprehensive fiber-optic coverage across multiple neighborhoods.

The project has already begun in Walnut and College Park, with installations planned for El Camino Real, Turtle Rock, and Northwood communities before year’s end. This marks a substantial expansion for the local internet provider, which previously served only West Irvine within city limits. Vice Mayor James Mai emphasized the partnership’s potential impact during a recent groundbreaking ceremony at Heritage Community Park.

 “This collaboration between Irvine and Cityside Fiber, based right here in our community, is an exciting effort to make Irvine one of, if not the most, connected cities in the entire country,” Mai said. “We are a City that prides itself on our quality of life, our technological infrastructure, and our sense of community, and we are thrilled to have Cityside Fiber here supporting each of those efforts.”   

While many cities implement new fiber rollouts, service often stops at the curb or leaves out entire neighborhoods. Irvine’s approach aims to provide equal access throughout the city. The benefits extend far beyond faster movie streaming or smoother video calls. Fiber access supports city services, small businesses, and schools. It makes telehealth practical for more families. It strengthens Irvine’s position as a hub for technology and research, and it does so with infrastructure designed to last for decades.

Cityside’s CEO, Rod Hanson, emphasized the long-term nature of the investment. “We are committed to helping the City achieve its ambitious connectivity goals that empower Irvine residents and businesses long into the future,” said Hanson.

The outcome of the expansion is simple: reliable, high-speed fiber internet for the vast majority of Irvine households and businesses. For a city that prides itself on quality of life and forward-looking planning, this is infrastructure that matches those values.

To learn more, visit citysidefiber.com.