Hawaiian Telcom invested more than $100 million to improve broadband connectivity throughout the Islands, officials with the communications carrier announced Monday.
As a result, an additional 30,000 locations throughout the state now have access to fiber-to-the-premise, or FTTP, broadband service, which enables faster upload and download speeds in Hawaii. According to officials with Hawaiian Telcom, 500 megabits per second is the fastest upload speed in Hawaii and gigabit internet is one of the fastest download speeds available.
In addition to transmitting data at much faster speeds, fiber-optic cables are more durable and less susceptible to elements such as water and electromagnetic interference.
“Our core purpose at Hawaiian Telcom is to connect and empower Hawaii, so we are accelerating our fiber expansion to bring the benefits of high-speed broadband access to more people in more places throughout our state than we’ve ever done before,” said Su Shin, president and general manager of Hawaiian Telcom in a statement.
Areas enabled with FTTP in 2021 include Kapaa, Hanamaulu, and Hanapepe on Kauai; Kula and Makawao on Maui; Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hilo, Kaumana, Keaau, Mountain View, Naalehu, and Volcano on Hawaii island, and Aiea, Aina Haina, Ewa Beach, Kahaluu, Kapolei, Makaha, Mililani Mauka, Nanakuli, Waialua, Waianae, and Waikiki on Oahu.
Last year Hawaiian Telcom also utilized federal programs, including the Connect America Fund, to expand FTTP broadband access to nearly 1,000 locations in underserved areas statewide.
The federal funds, which represent less than 10% of Hawaiian Telcom’s total capital investment, helped to offset some of the high costs to build to rural areas including Hakalau, Hawaiian Acres, and Hawaiian Paradise Park, among others.
“Imagine the possibilities when there is true digital equity here in Hawaii and everyone from keiki to kupuna, from Hilo to Hanalei, has access to the benefits of online education, e-commerce, telehealth opportunities and the countless benefits that broadband can offer," Shin said. "Our team is actively working to make this a reality.”
