Lightcurve launches 8 Gbps internet using Tacoma fiber network

Tacoma households in select neighborhoods can now access download speeds of up to 8 Gbps, the fastest residential internet available in the city, after local provider Lightcurve launched its upgraded fiber service yesterday.

The company plans to extend the 8 Gbps service to up to 17,000 Tacoma locations by the end of 2026.

The speed boost runs on infrastructure owned by Tacoma Public Utilities. Lightcurve operates the city-owned fiber network under a long-term lease agreement with TPU and is responsible for funding upgrades and improvements under that deal.

"This capability demonstrates the benefits of the partnership we have with Lightcurve," TPU Director Jackie Flowers said in the company's announcement reported by South Sound Biz. "We're glad to see this level of connectivity coming to our community."

What it means for residents

Eight gigabits per second is roughly eight times faster than the 1 Gbps fiber plans available to most Tacoma households. The company says the speed supports telework, gaming, streaming and AI-powered applications.

Lightcurve advertises no contracts and no data caps on its internet plans. Its existing 1 Gbps fiber plan costs $39.95 per month, according to FCC broadband data compiled by ISP Reports. Pricing for the new 8 Gbps tier has not been disclosed.

How the lease works

Tacoma Public Utilities owns the fiber infrastructure. Lightcurve leases it and handles day-to-day operations, customer service and network upgrades. The financial terms of the lease, including what TPU receives in revenue and when the agreement was signed, have not been made public.

Who gets it first

The announcement did not name which Tacoma neighborhoods have access, saying only "select Tacoma communities." Details are thin. Lightcurve's downtown retail store at 1135 Broadway and its headquarters at 1145 Broadway serve as the company's local hub.

As of June 2025, Lightcurve's fiber network reached about 91% of Tacoma addresses, according to FCC broadband data. The company says it serves more than 140,000 households across the greater Tacoma area and broader Washington state.

The Tacoma launch follows similar 8 Gbps rollouts in Centralia, Chehalis, Ellensburg, Kittitas and Selah.

Beth Barnes, Lightcurve's senior vice president of sales and marketing, said the company looks forward to extending 8 Gbps capabilities "more broadly in the coming years."