Hawaiian Telcom Internet in Hawaii – Fiber Speeds, Plans & Coverage

Hawaiian Telcom Internet is a major internet service provider (ISP) serving the Hawaiian Islands. The provider offers Fioptics, its branded fiber internet service, to the majority of Hawaii, reaching 60% of homes and businesses in the state as of January 2025. The provider anticipates expanding fiber access to 100% of Hawaii by 2026. 

This guide will help you understand the history of internet speeds in Hawaii, what speeds and coverage you can expect from Hawaiian Telcom today, and whether Hawaiian Telcom fiber internet is right for you. 

Key Takeaways

• Hawaiian Telecom’s max Fioptics fiber speed is 3 Gig download and upload speeds (symmetrical internet speeds). 
• Roughly 60% of Hawaii is covered by fiber, and this footprint is growing quickly. 
• Hawaiian Telcom is an ideal internet solution for streamers, gamers, and remote workers. 

A quick caveat before we jump in: availability and pricing vary by address, and pricing changes over time. 

Why Hawaiian Telcom Internet Matters for the Islands

Because of Hawaii’s remote location, internet service deployment on the islands lags compared to the mainland. As one of the major ISPs in the state, Hawaiian Telecom has been investing in the infrastructure necessary to close this gap. 

How the Hawaiian Islands Get Online

The underlying infrastructure of the internet relies on wires and cables, mainly copper wiring and fiber optic cables. Large undersea fiber optic cables cross oceans and connect continents, and several of these undersea network projects reached Hawaii in the early 2000s. From there, inter-island connections brought the remaining Hawaiian Islands online. 

Despite this, Hawaii still dealt with some of the lowest download speeds in the country (and customers paid a premium for those poor speeds). The undersea cables that connected Hawaii to the rest of the world were maxed out. There wasn’t enough bandwidth to keep up with demand, causing low speeds and high ping and latency. 

On-island infrastructure was almost all copper, which limited speed further. 

From Copper to Fiber – What Changed

Hawaiian Telcom internet used to run over DSL/copper service only, leading to slower speeds and higher latency. Over a decade ago, the ISP started investing in fiber internet infrastructure and undersea cabling, building out Hawaiian Telcom Fioptics across the state. 

Fiber internet is much faster and more efficient than copper. It delivers symmetrical speeds (equal upload and download speeds), which is vital for modern gaming and video conferencing. Investment continues to the present, with Hawaiian Telcom spearheading a $1.7 billion fiber rollout. The company’s goal is to make Hawaii the first fully fiber-enabled U.S. state by 2026. 

• Key takeaway: Hawaii is transitioning to fiber internet, which brings faster speeds, lower latency, and symmetrical speeds. Hawaiian Telcom infrastructure is supporting this rollout, which aims to cover every Hawaiian by 2026. 

Hawaiian Telcom Fiber Internet Speeds & Technology

Like other ISPs, Hawaiian Telcom offers different speed and service packages, and depending on where you live, different technology (copper vs. fiber) may dictate what’s available. 

Current Speeds & Symmetrical Fiber

Hawaiian Telcom currently offers three residential tiers of fiber service: 

• 600 Mbps 
• 1 Gig 
• 3 Gig 

Each plan offers symmetrical speeds, but overall speed depends on the ONT (optical network terminal) and router you’re using, and network traffic. 

Having symmetrical upload speed improves many aspects of internet usage, including: 

• Video calls 
• Cloud backups 
• Content creation (large file uploads) 
• Online gaming 
• Online classes 

Any scenario where you’re uploading content to the internet, not just downloading from the internet, benefits from symmetrical speeds. 

So, which plan is right for you? Everyday users often find the Fioptics 600 plan sufficient, while heavy streamers may opt for 1 Gig or even 3 Gig. The 3 Gig plan is ideal for content creators and multi-user households that need more bandwidth. 

Network Upgrades & Fiber Build-Out

Hawaiian Telcom has been upgrading and expanding its fiber infrastructure. Details at a glance: 

• Investment (2023): $223M / 64k locations / 337k total / about 50% of the state. (Hawaiian Telcom Blog) 
• Current Reach (2025): 400k+ locations / 60% of state. (Hawaii Business Magazine) 
• Future Goal (2026): $1.7B, 100% fiber by end of 2026 / first fully fiber-enabled state. (Hawaiian Telcom Blog and Business Wire) 

Key takeaway: Hawaiian Telcom has already brought fiber to most of Hawaii and is on track to finish a statewide 100% fiber network by the end of 2026. 

What This Means for Everyday Users

Access to fiber internet is good for everyone, with specific advantages depending on how you use the internet: 

• Typical households experience fewer buffering issues and more reliable streaming. 
• Multi-user homes can support several 4K streams and video calls at once. 
• Latency-sensitive users enjoy better consistency for gaming and real-time apps. 

Hawaiian Telcom Internet Plans & Pricing (2025 Snapshot)

Here’s what you can expect from Hawaiian Telcom in terms of plan types and costs (as of December 2025). 

Residential Fioptics Plans at a Glance

Stats as of December 2025: 

Prices do not include taxes, fees, rental charges, or any activation charges. Prices are subject to change without notice. Plan tiers may vary by address. Current as of 12/12/25. 

Note that advertised speeds can fluctuate, and pricing may change depending on current promotions. 

Deals, Bundles & Internet Assistance

Hawaiian Telcom internet plans carry a rotating set of promotions that often include elements like these: 

• Gift cards 
• Free activation 
• Bundle discounts 
• Introductory pricing 

Additionally, bundle discounts drop the price of individual services when you order both internet and TV services from the company. 

Eligible households can qualify for subsidized internet assistance pricing as well via several federal and state discount programs. 

Pricing and promotions change frequently, so be sure to verify Hawaiian Telcom internet pricing and deals before you commit. 

Where Is Hawaiian Telcom Fiber Available? Coverage by Island

Hawaiian Telcom fiber is available in at least 60% of homes and businesses in Hawaii, and coverage continues to expand. 

Current Coverage (2025)

60% of homes and businesses were covered as of January 2025, and the company announced plans to cover 100% by the end of 2026. 

• Key takeaway: Many—but not all—addresses in Hawaii can get Hawaiian Telcom fiber. 

Island-by-Island Rollout

Is Hawaiian Telcom Internet Good for Streaming, Gaming & Remote Work?

Yes, Hawaiian Telcom Fioptics fiber internet is a solid solution for even the most demanding online tasks, such as gaming, streaming, and working from home. Here’s how fiber’s high bandwidth and low latency benefit high-demand activities: 

Latency, Symmetry & Gaming

Fiber’s lower latency and higher upload speeds reduce lag and improve accuracy and a better overall gaming experience. But the distance to the mainland presents statewide performance challenges. Try these tips to optimize your home network: 

• Use Ethernet for competitive gaming. 
• Use an up-to-date modem/router (Wi-Fi 6 or newer). 
• Place the router centrally for better wireless performance. 

Multi-User Streaming & Work-From-Home

Your ideal speed depends on how you plan to use the internet and how many people and devices use your internet connection at the same time. Remote work tasks and streaming take up a lot of bandwidth. Here’s are a few guidelines on which plan tier works best for your household needs: 

• Fioptics 600: great for 1–2 casual streamers and basic work from home tasks 
• Fioptics 1 Gig: better for 3–5 HD/4K streams and video conferencing 
• Fioptics 3 Gig: best choice for creators, large file uploads, multi-gamer or remote worker households 

Remember: upload speed is crucial for video conferencing (Zoom/Teams), VPN, and large file uploads. This is why fiber is an attractive choice: upload speeds are just as fast as download. 

• Key takeaway: Make sure to pick the tier that best aligns with your usage needs. 

Pros & Cons of Hawaiian Telcom Internet

Pros

• Symmetrical fiber speeds (including multi-gig tiers where available). 
• Ongoing investments to expand coverage statewide. 
• Local provider expertise and digital equity and assistance programs. 
• Potential bundle discounts (TV/phone + internet) for some customers. 

Cons

• Fiber not yet available at all addresses. 
• Promo pricing may increase after the introductory period. 
• Customer reviews indicate some mixed experiences around billing or outages in certain spots. 

How Hawaiian Telcom Internet Compares to Other Hawaii ISPs

There are two main broadband providers on the island, along with a few other services (like 5G home internet) that some customers find to be a viable alternative. 

Competitors at a Glance

Hawaiian Telcom is one of several options in Hawaii, each with different pros, cons, and availability. Compare these services based on your address to narrow down the search. 

Spectrum is the main competitor in the Hawaiian islands. Other options include Verizon and T-Mobile 5G home internet (which uses a cellular connection rather than cable-based connectivity), as well as satellite options. 

* Pricing may be based on promotions and provider discounts. Pricing, plans, and speeds are subject to change. Current as of 12/12/25. 

When Hawaiian Telcom Is the Best Choice

While many factors go into your choice of ISP, Hawaiian Telcom is likely the best fit in these situations: 

• Your address qualifies for Fioptics fiber. 
• Your household needs fast upload speeds (creators, gamers, WFH). 
• You prefer a provider that’s heavily investing in a statewide fiber build-out. 

For many Hawaiians, Hawaiian Telcom is a compelling option and may be the best available. 

• Key takeaway: Check Hawaiian Telcom’s availability at your address and compare plans with competitors. 

Is Hawaiian Telcom Internet Right for You?

Hawaiian consumers and businesses have more and better options for internet service than just a few years ago, and Hawaiian Telcom is leading the way with new infrastructure investment. The most important factor is if fiber is available at your address. 

Quick Recap

• Fiber internet service brings symmetrical multi-gig speeds to Hawaii. 
• 60% of addresses have fiber access today with the goal of 100% coverage in 2026. 
• Hawaiian Telcom offers the fastest, most stable internet service — but only if you qualify for fiber. 

If you’re looking for fiber internet in Hawaii, Hawaiian Telcom Internet is a strong contender. Get started today by comparing Hawaiian Telcom internet plans and checking fiber availability at your address.