LATEST NEWS

October 9, 2006
Hawaiian Telcom High-Speed Internet Rate Drops as Federal Universal Service Fund Contribution is Eliminated

HONOLULU – Hawaiian Telcom customers will now save nearly $3 every month on their High-Speed Internet service. The company has completed the necessary regulatory steps to offer broadband as an information service, which a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) order decreed will no longer be subject to Federal Universal Service Fund (FUSF) contributions.

"This fee elimination means almost $3 million annually back to consumers and back into the local economy," said CEO Mike Ruley. "It also puts us on a more level playing field with our cable competitor, which has not contributed to the Universal Service Fund for broadband services."

The FUSF supports discounts for schools and libraries and telecom deployments in high-cost areas. All regulated telecommunications services are subject to FUSF contributions while cable modem providers do not traditionally contribute for these services. To stabilize the fund, the FCC recently began requiring FUSF contributions from VoIP service providers and increased contribution requirements from wireless providers. This is another step toward leveling the playing field between telecom providers and cable companies.

“Hawaiian Telcom continues to offer the best value for high-speed Internet service in the state,” said Michael Fry, Senior Product Manager – Internet Solutions. “Soon we will be enhancing our offer with faster speeds and additional options to save more money by bundling it with our other services.”

Hawaiian Telcom’s current promotional offer is $9.99 per month for the first three months for new High-Speed Internet customers. This limited time offer has been extended through mid-November. Hawaiian Telcom High-Speed Internet service includes speeds of up to 3 Mbps, 10 e-mail boxes, free modem/router, free Internet Security suite and local technical support available 24 by 7.

To benefit existing customers, Hawaiian Telcom sent customers with active hawaiiantel.net email addresses a free Single Season iTicket ($39.95 value) for use on www.HTsportsnet.com, which provides streaming video of University of Hawaii sports (live and archived games).

For more information or to order, please call 643-0805 or visit www.hawaiiantel.com.

About Hawaiian Telcom
Hawaiian Telcom is the state’s leading telecommunications provider, offering a wide spectrum of telecommunications products and services, which include local and long distance service, high-speed Internet, wireless services, and print directory and Internet directory services.