Hawaiian Telcom launches $1.7B public-private fiber partnership
Hawaiian Telcom has set a high broadband bar: Through a $1.7 billion investment, it will become the first fully fiber-enabled state by 2026.
This public-private partnership between Hawaiian Telcom and the state of Hawaii includes about $107 million in federal and state funding from various broadband infrastructure programs.
Through collaboration with federal, state, and county entities, the telco aims to meet the rapidly evolving technology needs of families and businesses across the state.
Having initiated its fiber expansion over a decade ago, the service provider is no stranger to fiber-enabled broadband.
Continuing expansion, speed efforts
A major focus for Hawaiian Telcom is expanding the fiber network and offering new speeds.
The provider debuted the 3 Gbps service in November, supporting single family and the growing multi-family housing space. Today, Hawaiian Telcom operates a fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) network, offering up to 3 Gbps symmetrical speeds.
Hawaiian Telcom’s network already reaches over 400,000 homes and businesses, representing 60% of the state, with plans to connect the remaining 40% by the end of 2026.
Recent expansions include completing fiber connections on Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi in 2023. Kauaʻi is expected to be completed in February, and Maui is expected to be fully connected by the end of this year. O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island will follow by late 2026.
Driving digital equity
As it rolls out fiber to more locations, Hawaiian Telcom will be able to more effectively bring service to rural areas that were challenging to serve.
Kaua‘i Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami said, "Rural communities should be afforded the same opportunities for digital access as anywhere else in the world.
Hawaii’s state government is focused on digital equity in tandem with bringing service to rural communities.
This will be particularly impactful in low-income communities like the Kalihi-Palama area.
Keiki (children) “can gain access to our computers for their school work and become more comfortable with technology,” said Sam Aiona, executive director of Palama Settlement.”
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About the Author
Sean BuckleySean Buckley
Sean is the Editor-in-Chief of Lightwave. He establishes and executes Lightwave's editorial strategy across its website, email newsletters, events, and other information products. Before coming to Lightwave in July 2023, he served as editor of Broadband Communities. Earlier, he served as senior editor of FierceTelecom and the editor of the former Telecommunications Magazine. He got his start in the optical industry in 1998 when he became the editor of enterprise and optical networks at Information Gatekeepers. He has a BA in English from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and lives in Dracut, Mass, with his wife, two sons, and his cat, Dove.
