The Fastest Internet Service In Hawaii

It looks like Hawaiian Telcom has quite a bit going on lately. Last week I wrote about their TrueSwitch program. A few days later, they announced Hawaii’s fastest Internet service. Now the option for 11 megabits per second (Mbps) download speed is available to you. If that number means nothing to you, trust me, it’s fast!

The Hawaiian Telcom High-Speed Internet (HSI) is possible with its investment of more than $100 million into systems and network upgrades over the last two years. One of the results of this is the new Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network. This is what makes the faster service possible.

“This acceleration in speed establishes a performance benchmark against which all other providers will be measured,” said Mike Ruley, Hawaiian Telcom’s chief executive officer. “Our investment in our Next Generation High-Speed Internet provides broadband access using the most advanced technology available and brings us another step closer to priming our network for the delivery of our digital video service,” he added.

For the moment, if you’re in Metro/East Honolulu, Ewa Beach, Mililani, Waipahu and Wahiawa, you’ll be able to access this new HSI. As for the outer islands, Hilo on the Big Island and Makawao on Maui have it too. For those of you not in these areas, be patient - Hawaiian Telcom is working on expanding this throughout the state for more coverage.

I can’t wait to try this new 11 Mbps speed (and thankfully I live in one of the covered areas). With the current service I have now I only receive a maximum of 6 Mbps. With HSI, it’ll be nearly double that! The speed upgrade will definitely make a huge difference for those of you that do tons of streaming video, large file downloads/uploads, and of course video games, but if you just do basic e-mailing and Internet surfing, you can survive with a more basic plan.

If you already have a phone line, the monthly charges are $29.99 for the low-end 3 Mbps, $39.99 for the 7 Mbps or $49.99 for the top 11Mbps. If you’re a Hawaiian Telcom myChoice bundle customer, you can upgrade from the 3 to 7 Mbps plan for an additional $4/month.

For folks that do not have land phone line, no worries, you can still take advantage of the service. The no-phone monthly prices are $34.99 for 3 Mbps, $44.99 for 7 Mbps and $54.99 for the much-coveted 11 Mbps. For more information call 643-0805 (residential), 643-0841 (business), or check out www.hawaiiantel.com.