Hawaiian Telcom raises Internet speed limit
The company says it is the fastest residential connection in Hawaii
Star-Bulletin staff
Hawaiian Telcom has raised the speed limit on its Internet service, a move the telephone company says gives it the fastest residential connection in the state.
Depending on where they live, subscribers will be able to get download speeds of 3, 7 or 11 megabits per second (Mbps) under the new service, which the telephone company unveiled yesterday. Upload speeds will be 1 Mbps.
"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.
Hawaiian Telcom spokes-woman Ann Nishida said that as of yesterday the company's digital subscriber line (DSL) service, available in all but the most rural areas of the state, has a minimum speed of 3 Mbps -- previously its fastest residential speed.
Oceanic Time Warner Cable's Web site advertises its Road Runner residential service as up to 4.9 Mbps. * Oceanic representatives could not be reached for comment by press time yesterday.
Clearwire Corp., which began offering a wireless broadband service in Hawaii last year, says it can provide download speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps.
Nishida said technical constraints mean that only about a quarter of all Hawaiian Telcom customers will be able to get the 11-Mbps speed, and about a third will be able to get 7 Mbps. Customers can call 643-3456 to find out what speed their line will support.
Pricing ranges from $29.99 a month for 3 Mbps to $49.99 a month for 11 Mbps.
The highest speeds are available in central Honolulu -- from Moanalua to Kaimuki -- as well as east Honolulu, Ewa, Mililani, Waipahu and Wahiawa on Oahu; in Hilo on the Big Island and in Makawao on Maui.
CORRECTION
Friday, August 31, 2007
Oceanic Time Warner Cable's fastest advertised residential Internet speed is equivalent to 4.9 megabits per second (Mbps). A Page C3 article in yesterday's morning editions reported a lower, outdated number.
Please see the applicable Corrections page for more information.
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