Although Hawaii is a tropical state that has everything under the sun, it does not always have paradise in terms of internet access. Because of the geographical limitations of the islands as part of the Pacific region, Hawaii especially in remote areas, mountains, and island areas, ISP services can either offer good broadband internet or they can’t. Nonetheless, the internet providers in Hawaii have greatly advanced to grow and enhance the provision of services to the islands.
While this blog post doesn’t offer a comprehensive list of internet service providers across Hawaii, it will discuss the most popular, available connection speeds, the types of connections, and their pricing. I’ll also identify some of the things to consider when selecting options for the area that you are interested in.
Speed Levels to Look For Speed levels are an aspect of the website design that may not be as well-known or discussed as some of the other aspects that have already been mentioned.
Before getting into the specific providers, here’s an overview of the internet speed tiers available in Hawaii from most providers:
- Basic internet: 10 to 25 Mbps
- Fast internet: contemporary broadband speed ranges: 50 to 100+ Mbps
- Gigabit internet: Bandwidths are a thousand plus megabits per second.
For instance, the federal definition of broadband internet is still set at 25/3 Mbps download/upload speeds as a standard for now. For streaming high-definition video, downloading large files, using video and/or online games, having multiple users online, and managing multiple devices at one time, I would suggest that you should shoot for at least 50 Mbps.
If a house has many members or if there are activities that require a lot of bandwidth, then gigabit speeds of 1,000 Mbps may be more appropriate for the house. Let’s therefore review some of the major service providers for these higher speed levels.
Best Internet Provider In Hawaii
Spectrum
Spectrum cable internet services are among the most popular in most parts of Hawaii as a cable internet service provider. They extend their service to most parts of the Oahu, some of Maui and Kauai counties, and a few areas in the big island.
Spectrum offers several speed tiers:
- Internet: 200 Mbps with $49.99 per month as the lowest tier.
- Internet Ultra: 400 Mbps from $69.99/month
- Internet Gig: 940 Mbps with prices starting from $ 109.99 per month.
Using the current max speeds provided by Spectrum we can determine that they do offer fast internet and gigabit internet speeds which are perfect for households that use the internet a lot. Spectrum does often demand a 12-month agreement, but it may offer some flexibility depending on the services you subscribe to. However, the availability and accessibility of stores render them one of the best providers for many across the Hawaii region.
Hawaiian Telcom
Hawaiian Telcom Communications is the largest local player in the telecommunication market and has operations all over Hawaii. They provide wired Digital Subscriber Line and fiber optic broadband internet connection to homes and business premises in Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island, and other islands such as Lanai and Molokai.
Speeds and pricing vary by exact location but their top speed tiers include:
- Fiber 100 internet: Beginner packages for 100 Mbps speeds cost as low as $60/month.
- Fiber 1 GIG internet: Unlimited 1Gbps starting at 80$/month
I would suggest Hawaiian Telcom fiber internet if this service is available in your area because it has high download and upload speeds. Hawaiian Telcom, however, does not enforce compulsory signing of service contracts as a measure of control. Moreover, they have great expertise regarding infrastructure concerns peculiar to Hawaii.
HughesNet Satellite Internet
Hughesnet is the largest satellite Internet service provider in the United States of America. This can be a great option, especially in areas where even DSL, cable, or fiber internet service is out of reach for Hawaii residents.
HughesNet offers two plans:
- 25 Mbps plan: Downstream bandwidth of 25 Mbps at $59. 99 per month.
- 50 Mbps plan: Download of 50 Mbps starting at $69.99 monthly.
Data is unlimited but has restrictive measures that slow down or prioritize the data usage once a client has used a cap of 20 GB to 50GB depending on the plan. HughesNet is more expensive compared to other options but offers a lot of installation flexibility because the satellite broadband does not have to be in places that require cables on the ground.
These are some of the considerations that you should make as you decide on the kind of association that you should join:
When comparing your home internet options, here are a few key considerations:
Service availability: Visit the serviceability maps provided by internet providers to find out the wired and wireless internet types that are provided to your location. There are places, mostly rural, that could only get DSL or satellite service.
Speeds needed: Think about the number of users that will simultaneously connect to the Internet and what tasks such as video streaming, online games, and video calls. This defines the download/upload speed band that you should aim for.
Data caps: It is worth mentioning that the majority of home Internet connections utilizing cables or DSL are no longer capped in their data usage. But providers like HughesNet satellite internet give quotas together with overcharges or slower rates beyond it.
Contracts and fees: Promotional pricing most commonly comes with a catch which usually is that you will have to sign up for the service for at least a year or even more. Always clarify regular prices, sign-up charges, rental for modem, charges for disconnecting the service early, and other related charges.
Local reputation and service: By visiting the BBB website and seeing the ratings and feedback given, one can get an idea of how blameless or hostile particular providers are in a particular region of Hawaii.
Well, hopefully, this brief guide will help you get started in finding the ideal internet provider for your location! If you have any other questions or topics that you would like to discuss let me know.
Ready to experience fast, reliable internet? Call us now at (855) 210-8090 to find the best internet service providers near you. Don't miss out on incredible speeds and exceptional service—contact us today!
Read More:
What Is the Best Internet and Cable Provider?
What Is the Best Internet Provider for Rural Areas?
What Is the Best Internet Provider for Streaming?
What Is the Best Internet Provider in Brooklyn?
What Is the Best Internet Provider in California?
