State plan seeks to expand broadband connectivity across Hawaii

The state has released an updated strategic plan that aims to achieve digital equity across the islands by strengthening broadband infrastructure and programs.

The 45-page Hawai‘i Broadband Strategic Plan 2020 offers what state officials say is a fresh look at ways to boost broadband connectivity at a time when the coronavirus pandemic is showing how important it is for education, health and economic prosperity.

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, with support from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the Office of Planning, published the plan, which is an update to the original Hawai‘i Broadband Strategic Plan released in 2012.

“All of Hawaii’s residents need to benefit from broadband in order for the state to thrive in the 21st century. This plan seeks to outline the steps to achieve digital equity throughout the state of Hawaii,” Burt Lum, DBEDT’s broadband strategy officer, said in a news release.

The document lays out a framework for the creation of policies and programs to meet the challenges faced in achieving the state’s broadband goals.

The plan calls for a strategy of building carrier- neutral cable landing infrastructure on Oahu and the neighbor islands to lower the cost barrier for trans- Pacific fiberoptic cables to land in Hawaii.

The current situation, according to the document, is that most of the trans- Pacific fiberoptic projects are bypassing Hawaii. “These cables are crucial in enabling broadband service in Hawaii and keeping Hawaii connected and competitive in the global marketplace,” the plan says.

The document suggests seeking federal and private funding to underwrite cable landing stations and other interisland fiberoptics. It also calls for support of initiatives to deploy small cell and wireless technologies throughout the islands.

The plan ultimately seeks to create a robust broadband network, extend powerful gigabit broadband to both urban and rural areas of the state, and create an environment in which the digital economy can thrive.

Since the original plan was published in 2012, the broadband landscape has changed dramatically. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on Hawai’i’s digital shortcomings as stay-at-home orders required people to stay at home for education, nonurgent health care appointments and work.

“Due to the pandemic, there is even greater recognition that Hawai‘i’s competitiveness in the global digital economy, educational exchange and digital competency is reliant on broadband infrastructure,” DBEDT Director Mike Mc­Cartney said in the release. “Hawai‘i’s link to the rest of the world relies on transpacific fiber optic cables. Broadband is how the Internet traffic flows throughout the entire state from interisland fiber, terrestrial fiber, wireless services and rural connectivity. This will be fundamental for Hawai‘i’s economic diversification and expansion.”

The Hawaii Broadband Strategic Plan Update can be found at broadband.hawaii.gov/about/.