Introduction
Long Beach residents and businesses are being notified of planned internet service outages due to essential network upgrades taking place throughout the city. These temporary disruptions are part of a comprehensive infrastructure improvement project that aims to strengthen internet connectivity, expand fiber-optic coverage, and modernize communication services. Both city-run initiatives and private internet service providers (ISPs) are collaborating on this effort, with most outages scheduled for July through December 2025.
Why Are Network Upgrades Needed?
The city’s reliance on digital infrastructure has grown rapidly in recent years. With more residents working from home, streaming content, attending online classes, and managing smart homes, the demand for high-speed, low-latency internet is higher than ever. In response, Long Beach is investing in expanding its fiber-optic backbone—a project managed by the Technology & Innovation Department (TID).
In addition, major ISPs including Spectrum, Xfinity (Comcast), Verizon, AT&T, and Frontier are implementing independent upgrades. These involve laying new fiber lines, upgrading network nodes, and replacing older copper infrastructure with faster, more efficient technology.
When Will the Outages Occur?
The outages are temporary and scheduled in advance, typically during weekday working hours. While specific times vary by provider and neighborhood, most internet service interruptions are expected to last between 2 to 6 hours. Customers will be notified via email, SMS, or app notifications from their internet service provider at least 24 to 48 hours before maintenance begins.
Some areas may experience service interruptions multiple times during the upgrade period, especially if multiple ISPs are working in the same region or if city fiber work overlaps with provider maintenance.
Affected Areas in Long Beach
The planned upgrades will impact many neighborhoods across Long Beach, including but not limited to:
- Downtown Long Beach (90802)
- Belmont Shore and Naples (90803)
- Eastside and Circle Area (90804)
- North Long Beach (90805)
- Wrigley and Central Long Beach (90806)
- West Long Beach (90810)
Both residential users and commercial buildings, including small businesses and public institutions, will be affected during scheduled work hours.
What Services Will Be Affected?
Most outages will primarily affect internet services, including:
- Broadband/Wi-Fi
- Fiber-optic internet
- VoIP (Voice over IP) telephone systems
- Smart home connections
- Streaming and cloud-based services
In some cases, bundled TV and landline phone services may also experience brief interruptions. However, mobile networks and cellular internet will generally remain unaffected unless they rely on Wi-Fi calling or home-based routers.
Who Is Carrying Out the Work?
1. City of Long Beach (TID):
The City is expanding its municipal fiber network as part of the Digital Inclusion Initiative. This expansion will connect over 72 city-owned facilities to a 98-mile fiber ring, improving city services and eventually offering public internet access in underserved areas.
2. Private ISPs:
ISPs like Spectrum, Xfinity, Verizon, AT&T, and Frontier are all conducting infrastructure upgrades on their networks. These upgrades will improve customer internet speeds, reduce downtime, and support future technologies like 5G, cloud computing, and smart city systems.
Long-Term Benefits of the Upgrade
While these outages may be inconvenient in the short term, the long-term benefits are substantial:
- Faster internet speeds for both uploads and downloads
- Increased reliability and reduced outages in the future
- Support for smart city technology, such as traffic control and emergency response systems
- Improved connectivity for public services, including schools, libraries, and hospitals
- Expansion of fiber-optic availability to more homes and businesses
How to Prepare for the Outage
Here are several ways Long Beach residents and businesses can prepare:
- Check your provider’s website or app for outage maps and scheduled maintenance updates.
- Enable mobile alerts so you’re informed before and during the maintenance.
- Download important files and complete time-sensitive work in advance.
- Switch to mobile data or a hotspot if you need internet during the outage.
- Reschedule meetings or online classes if possible.
- Unplug equipment if power-related maintenance is involved, to avoid damage.
Impact on Local Businesses and Remote Workers
For small businesses, freelancers, and remote workers, internet disruptions can be particularly difficult. Losing access to digital services—even for a few hours—can cause lost productivity, missed sales, or communication breakdowns. Many businesses are setting up mobile backup internet plans, using 5G hotspots or dual-router setups with failover capabilities to maintain uptime.
Additionally, coworking spaces and public libraries (outside the affected zones) may serve as temporary workspaces for those who cannot afford to be offline.
Statements from ISPs and the City
City of Long Beach:
“We are committed to improving digital equity and future-ready infrastructure. These temporary outages are a necessary step toward building a smarter, more connected Long Beach.”
Spectrum:
“We are performing proactive upgrades to support the growing needs of our customers. We’re working to minimize downtime and ensure customers are notified in advance.”
Xfinity:
“As part of our Next Generation Network rollout, customers in Long Beach will see faster, more reliable service after these brief interruptions.”
What If the Service Doesn’t Return?
If your internet service does not return after the expected maintenance window:
- Restart your modem and router
- Check for outage notices on your ISP’s website
- Contact customer support to report the issue
- Use your mobile hotspot or tethered phone for temporary access
- Ask neighbors if they are facing the same issue (this can confirm if it’s isolated or area-wide)
Final Thoughts
The temporary internet outages in Long Beach are part of a much larger digital transformation effort that will benefit the entire community. Though short-term service interruptions may be inconvenient, they pave the way for faster, more reliable internet, broader fiber coverage, and future technology readiness across the city. With careful planning and cooperation between the city, ISPs, and the public, Long Beach is on track to becoming a model for digital infrastructure and smart urban living.
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