20250819 - WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL APPROVES REGIONAL FIBER OPTIC NETWORK
Whittier, CA — Whittier residents will soon gain access to high-speed fiber internet thanks to a new agreement approved by the City Council. The project, shaped through months of collaboration between City staff and regional partners, delivers on the Council’s commitment to invest in infrastructure, expand economic opportunity, and improve quality of life without additional cost to the City.
The agreement positions Whittier to join the Gateway Cities Regional Fiber Optic Network, the largest infrastructure project in the history of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments. Funded by a combined $104 million in grants from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the California Department of Technology’s Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, the network will span 125 route miles, connecting 24 city halls and more than 4,200 underserved locations across Southeast Los Angeles County.
On August 12, the Council approved a Right-of-Way Use Agreement with GCCOG, paving the way for construction in Whittier. Regionwide, the network will install more than 885,000 feet (over 168 miles) of new fiber optic cable—enough to stretch from Whittier to San Diego and back—and connect from two directions ensuring system reliability and redundancy.
From the earliest planning stages, the City worked hand-in-hand with GCCOG and state partners to include Whittier in the network design, map local construction routes, and secure two dedicated strands of “dark fiber,” an unused fiber optic cable reserved for the City that can be activated as needed. This long-term capacity will support public safety, connect facilities, expand technology services, and enable future smart city tools like utility smart grids, synchronized traffic systems, and real-time parking management.
“Reliable, high-speed internet is no longer a luxury—it’s essential for education, business, and daily life,” said Mayor Joe Vinatieri. “Through our active involvement in this project, we’re ensuring Whittier residents and businesses have the tools to succeed, while advancing the Council’s goals for infrastructure, economic development, and community well-being.”
Broadband internet, the reliable, high-capacity service that allows residents and businesses to stream, work, learn, and connect without interruptions, will be extended to more than 4,200 underserved locations in the Gateway region. Construction in Whittier will occur within existing rights-of-way and on current utility poles, minimizing impacts while preserving capacity for future growth. GCCOG will work closely with City staff during the build-out and provide detailed as-built maps upon project completion.
By participating in this regional initiative, Whittier is bringing the City Council’s vision of a connected, resilient community with greater opportunities for residents and businesses to life.
