ISP TableHughesNet * ^ Seismic (dialup) AWSHI !! HawaiianTel DSL AT&T Wireless * ^ Verizon Wireless * ^ MobiPCS RoadRunner Aloha Broadband = Spacenet aka StarBand Open Skies * ^ ^ Bandwidth Cap a.k.a. Fair User Policy: All ISPs are heading this way eventually. It means there will be a limit on the amount of data you can download per day, week or month. What happens when you exceed your allotment varies by provider.
* Contract Required: Choose wisely because you might be obligated for up to 2 years.
!! Generally poor to fair customer service. I know from personal experience.
= Not yet available in Puna mauka. Very high percentage of consumer satisfaction. The owner says the more people wanting it, the better the chances he'll provide service in Puna mauka. Let him know.
If you use one of the above service providers (with the exception of dialup), visit this site to determine your actual UpLoad and DownLoad times. http://www.speedtest.net. The site will open to a map with a gold star over Honolulu.
My knowledge of and/or experience with the ISPs mentioned above (and otherwise):
First of all, they all lie about the speed you'll actually get, and none of them will guarantee a fixed speed. Some do a better job with infrastructure and maintenance than others.
Every ISP fails from time to time. Learn how to reboot your modem (and router if you have one) before calling for help. The amount you pay per month usually determines the degree of service you can expect. When I had dialup I knew that my connection could vary widely within a single logon session. I dreaded three-day weekends because if I couldn't access my ISP on Friday night, I'd be SOL until Tuesday morning because server adjustments require human interaction.
For those of us who want something better than dialup (and don't have access to RoadRunner or HawaiianTel), there are a few choices, and that is primarily why this page exists at all.
HughesNet is considered Satellite Broadband. It is far and away the most expensive option and utilizes a restrictive Bandwidth Cap. The equipment includes a dish approximately 40 centimeters ~ 120 centimeters in diameter, depending on the speed plan. It can sit on the ground and is pointed toward the eastern horizon. Website price structure applies to mainland customers. You have to provide location to get Hawaii prices.A newcomer, StarBand Open Skies aka SpaceNet, is also considered Satellite Broadband. There are conflicting claims about contracts and early termination penalties. Buyer beware.
AWSHI and Aloha Broadband are considered Wireless Broadband. As of August, 2011, and dating backward to about March, AWSHI service has been fairly unstable. They seem to have a lot of equipment failure but do service it ASAP. Please note that Aloha Broadband is not yet available in Puna mauka.
AT&T, Verizon & MobiPCS are all considered Mobile Broadband. AT&T and Verizon require a 2 year contract, just like their cell phone plans. One common misconception is that if you currently use a Verizon or AT&T cell phone, you would have to use Verizon's or AT&T's Mobile Broadband. Mobile Broadband requires a USB dongle device attached to your computer. You purchase the device and the service contract just as you would for your voice cell phone. The strength of this type of Broadband is that it can be used on the road, on the mainland and possibly abroad, as well.
MobiPCS is quite similar to the big players, but they don't require a contract. You still need to purchase a device to connect to your computer, though. The point of departure amongst the Mobile Broadband players is the method of transmission. All require towers from which to capture mobile signals, but MobiPCS's service requires that towers be situated closer together. Because of this point, the infrastructure is not yet firmly in place for the Volcano area despite their claim that it would be by August 2009, nor is it likely that MobiPCS will offer service outside of Hawaii.
I personally tried MobiPCS in July, 2010, but found the speed equivalent to dialup. I drove around HOIE and RHE and the signal varied from zero to two bars. My house was one bar. The fortunate thing about MobiPCS is that you have a week to try it out. If dissatisfied, you can return the equipment for a full refund. I found MobiPCS in Prince Kuhio Mall and at Cellular Enhancements next to Puainako KTA.
I'd be very careful about signing on to Mobile Broadband unless the main reason for doing so is mobility. If you're counting on it for your home or business based internet access, you should know that your signal depends on line-of-sight to the respective tower. Your Mobile Broadband signal will parallel that of your cell phone. If you get one bar on your cell phone, that's all you should expect with Mobile Broadband. Unlike Wireless Broadband (such as AWSHI), Verizon, AT&T, MobiPCS, etc., will not come to your house and conduct a site survey.
I switched from dialup to AWSHI about three years ago. My installation fee was $340. The peculiarity of my property required mounting the receiver atop an Ohia Tree. Signal strength will vary depending on line-of-sight interruptions (primarily vegetation). I clocked the speed a couple of times and found my connection to be roughly 12x faster than dialup's fastest throughput. What that means in practice is that I can upload and download pictures fast enough, but forget YouTube.
Finally, a word about broadband petitions ... Hawaiian Telcom's staff arbitrarily tell callers that if a petition were submitted, perhaps the company would be moved to bring DSL our way. I remain pessimistic.
Oceanic Time Warner (Roadrunner) has consistently denied they would be coming into Royal Hawaiian Estates and/or Hawaiian Orchid Isle Estates.
That's about all I know as of August, 2011.
Update February 2012:
More RHE residents are using MobiPCS these days. I haven't heard from Mobi whether or not they improved their infrastructure.
I hear AWSHI is charging more for installation now but no confirmation. I continue to use AWSHI and am upset and content in turns, although they have improved over the past year.
Hawaiian Telcom is offering tiered DSL service in the Village but the higher speed variables are only available in select areas, and then there's a waiting list.
IMO, if Roadrunner is available to you, there's no reason to look further. It is hands down the best you can do.
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