Ting Internet and Laguna Woods Village is making steady progress in bringing fiber connectivity to every manor. This upgrade will improve reliability, increase speed and support the services residents rely on today and in the future. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as construction continues.

To help keep everyone informed, below are answers to some of the most common questions we receive.

TV Transition and Why Cable Is Going Away

Why is cable programming going away in the first place?

For many years Laguna Woods Village has offered traditional cable service as part of the community’s amenities. While cable has served residents well, the cost of providing it has increased significantly. Much of this growth comes from fees cable companies must pay to major broadcast networks. These agreements have risen far faster than inflation, and these costs are passed directly to subscribers.

For a community of this size, these rising fees would require either significant assessment increases or reductions in other services. After careful review the boards determined that maintaining a custom cable system is no longer sustainable.

In response the community is transitioning to DirecTV Stream. It offers a familiar live TV experience but delivers programming through the internet rather than aging cable infrastructure. DirecTV Stream provides cleaner picture quality, fewer interruptions and a more resilient system that can grow with future technology. Streaming also protects the community from continued increases tied to broadcast network contracts.

As fiber installation moves across the Village, DirecTV Stream will become the community’s exclusive TV option beginning in the third quarter of 2026.

Costs

What will this cost me?

Residents will pay $40 per month for internet service that delivers up to 2,000 Mbps upload and download speeds, and $25 per month for DirecTV Stream, which includes more than 100 channels and local networks. Residents may subscribe to additional DirecTV packages if they choose.

The combined $65 per month will first appear in the January 2027 assessment fee.

With Ting Internet and DirecTV Stream, residents will no longer pay West Coast Internet, set-top box rental fees or programming fees currently included in assessments. On average, residents will pay a similar amount in 2027 compared with 2026.

Timeline and Activation

When will my fiber internet be activated?

Your activation date depends on construction progress in your neighborhood. Once your area is prepared with mainline fiber, Ting will email and call you within 60 days that crews will prewire your building and soon after schedule your installation date. Until then, simply monitor your inbox and voicemail for updates.

To check progress at any time, or to view all Ting updates, visit the Ting construction status tracker.

When should residents stop paying West Coast Internet?

Residents should continue paying West Coast Internet until Ting officially activates service in the home. The full transition to Ting Internet is expected to begin in late summer 2026. Ting will notify residents when it is time to cancel West Coast Internet. Ting Internet will be provided at no cost until 2027, when it will be included in the monthly assessment.

Installation, Routing and Resident Preferences

Do I have any say in installation?

To ensure safe and consistent installation in every building, fiber is being placed according to Laguna Woods Village standards. While some residents may prefer customized routing or alternate placement locations, all installation teams must follow HOA-approved guidelines. These practices protect community buildings, infrastructure and long-term service quality.

Please confirm that Resident Services (Residentservices@vmsinc.org, 949-597-4600) has your current phone number and email address. Ting will rely on this information to schedule your appointment. Ting will contact you directly when it is time to install service.

Internet Equipment and Wi-Fi Coverage

What is an Eero unit?

The Eero 7 router creates a strong and reliable home Wi-Fi network. It can operate as a single unit or with additional units as a mesh system to reduce dead zones. It connects to your internet equipment, plugs into a power outlet and provides stable Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home.

Will I need to pay for any extra equipment?

No. Eero units can service homes up to 2,000 square feet. Per the Village contract with Ting, units greater than 1,500 square feet will receive two units.

Internet and TV Choices

Can I keep my current internet provider?

Residents may continue using West Coast Internet only until the fiber network is fully installed and verified across the Village. After that point West Coast Internet will no longer operate in the community. All manors will use Ting Internet once the system is complete.

Can I keep my current internet or TV service?

Residents will not be able to keep their current cable TV service once the community-wide transition is complete. DirecTV Stream will become the Village’s exclusive TV option in December 2026.

Residents who prefer a different TV experience may still use other internet-based streaming apps over the new fiber network.

DirecTV Stream and Gemini Devices

What is DirecTV Stream?

DirecTV Stream delivers live TV and on-demand programming over the internet. It offers a cable-like experience without a dish or long-term contract. It uses Gemini devices and also works on most smart TVs.

A Gemini device is a small streaming box that connects to your TV and home Wi-Fi. It provides the familiar channel guide, remote functions and DVR options associated with DirecTV. It replaces traditional cable boxes and does not require a satellite dish.

EMF Concerns and Router Placement

Should I be concerned about electromagnetic fields?

Some residents have raised concerns about electromagnetic fields from Wi-Fi routers. Federal guidelines classify standard home Wi-Fi devices as safe for residential use, including in senior living settings. Installation standards list the living room as the preferred router location. If that is not practical, Ting will work with the resident to determine the best placement within routing standards.

How is router placement determined for better Wi-Fi coverage?

Wi-Fi works best when the router is placed near where most devices are used. Every home is different, so placement may vary. Ting installers follow HOA-approved standards for fiber entry and equipment placement. Homes up to 1,500 square feet will receive one Eero 7 router; homes over 1,500 square feet will receive two units to reduce dead zones.

Roles of Ting, VMS and Residents

How do Ting, VMS and residents each play a role in the fiber installation process?

Ting installs fiber according to Village-approved guidelines. VMS is responsible for delivering the long-term infrastructure determined by the GRF board. Residents want consistent, reliable service. Installation standards are designed to meet these goals and protect community buildings.

If residents have concerns about installation quality, they should contact lagunawoodsvillageconstruction@ting.com. VMS and Ting will review concerns together.

Written by Ting Internet and Village Management Services on behalf of the GRF board of directors.