Today, users can do more using the internet than they ever have before, and America Connects gives you more ways to get connected. Simply enter your address inside the box above to locate internet providers and the best-priced plans in your city.
Trying to decide which internet package is best for you? Keep reading to learn more about internet access options, speeds and more.
Which Hawaii High Speed Internet Service is Right for you?
The internet has turned into a powerful tool that lets you keep in touch with friends and family, work remotely in your own home, download media to enjoy on your own schedule and much more. Internet service providers (ISPs) recognize that your internet needs are unique and now they offer more options for high speed internet than ever.
What's High Speed Internet?
When the internet was initially introduced in the mid-1990's, the sole option was what is known as dial-up service. Dial-up brings internet access in to the home by using a local phone number and active phone line. At the time this was a good solution for many people since most people already had a home phone.
However, internet speeds tended to be sluggish and depended on your local area. One other drawback was that in order to gain access to the internet the phone line used as the connection needed to be free. As the internet matured to include more robust media and websites many determined they needed a faster internet service.
ISPs turned to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to supply speedier internet services. These methods are often called as "broadband". Over the years as internet services have improved, the measurement for what is considered high-speed has changed.
Currently, the FCC considers an internet service to be high-speed if they have data download or upload speeds over 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your high-speed internet can still vary depending on a few factors such as how much bandwidth you share with other customers employing your internet service provider and your proximity to your ISP.
Those considering high-speed internet can choose between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet or fiber optic internet services.
Hawaii Cable Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Cable broadband internet services work with a cable TV connection to supply customers with high speed internet access. In order to make the connection there's a cable modem at the users end along with a cable modem termination system at the cable providers end. The distance between the modem and termination system can be as much as 100 miles with virtually no issues occurring.
Cable broadband internet can operate at up to 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may restrict the amount of data being transmitted. In addition, when using cable internet services you share bandwidth with other customers. The network monitor makes certain that bandwidth is distributed efficiently so that service doesn't slow during hours when overall usage peaks.
There are many service provider options for cable broadband internet. Time Warner and Comcast are top cable internet service providers throughout most of the nation.
Check on the availability of cable internet service in your neighborhood - enter your address within the box above.
Hawaii DSL Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) broadband internet services transfer data through a copper phone line. Unlike dial-up services, DSL works off of frequencies that aren't used for making telephone calls by splitting the line in two - one for voice calls and one for high speed internet use.
Digital subscriber lines run from a central office out to consumers. Typically this restricts DSL distribution to a short distance of two miles from the central office, though some lines go up to 5 miles long. This factor also affects the specific download and upload speeds.
The good news is that virtually no infrastructure is required and it is a true broadband internet service that transmits data at a rate as high as 10Mbps. DSL also offers better reliability and security than some other options because it is being provided by a telephone line that often isn't shared.
Top DSL internet service providers include AT&T. You can find DSL options from internet service providers in your town by entering your address inside the box above.
Hawaii Satellite Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Satellite high speed internet services utilize orbiting satellites to capture and pass on broadband data between a satellite company and its customers. Although the download and upload speeds qualify as broadband, because data must travel to the satellite and back over thousands of miles users can occasionally experience signal delays of about 1-2 seconds.
Despite the possibility of short delays, satellite broadband internet is capable of delivering data at 5Mbps. Satellite high speed internet is ideal for those wanting broadband internet in rural locations where DSL and cable services aren't available. AT&T, and the Dish Network are both top providers of satellite high speed internet services.
See if satellite broadband internet services are available in your area by entering your address inside the box above.
Hawaii Fiber Optic High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Fiber optic is the latest and fastest way to bring internet into the home. Systems of fiber optic cables can deliver broadband internet nearly 25 times faster than other broadband options and are more solid than cable, DSL and satellite services. This is due to the fact that fiber optic wiring is more resilient than other connections and isn't troubled by storms, static or noise.
For those trying to find the fastest high speed broadband internet access fiber optic is the way to go. Fiber optic networks are known for their ability to transmit data at rates as high as 50 Mbps.
Currently, Comcast and AT&T provide fiber optic/copper hybrid services but 100% fiber optic broadband internet services are only obtainable through Verizon FiOS. They started providing fiber optic internet services in 2006 and are continuously adding to their service areas.
See if fiber optic high speed internet services are available in your city - enter your address in the box above.
