Honolulu (May 28, 2024) – A partnership between Navy Region Hawai‘i and Hawaiian Telcom has exponentially strengthened the reliability of Hawai‘i’s communications network through a successful fiber project on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Completed in early 2024, this multi-million dollar collaborative project enabled Hawaiian Telcom to directly link West O‘ahu and Metro O‘ahu utilizing a route that runs through Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Hawaiian Telcom deployed the largest fiber-optic cable ever installed in the state of Hawai‘i for this project.
“The need for higher-speed data transmission to support defense, government, commercial, and residential demands is fueling the expansion of fiber-optic networks nationwide,” said U.S. Congressman Ed Case. “This historic project provides massive capacity to support Hawai‘i’s growing strategic position in the Pacific region.”
“Hawai‘i’s unique location in the middle of the Pacific makes reliable connectivity essential for all who live and work here. Additional fiber connectivity helps ensure access to essential services, public safety resources, healthcare, education and commerce,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D. “We appreciate the collaboration between Hawaiian Telcom and the Navy Region Hawai‘i as strong partners that are looking ahead to future-proof the needs of Hawai‘i’s residents and businesses.”
“This is a significant project that has far-reaching community benefits,” said Colonel Monica Gramling, Deputy Commander, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. “We’re pleased to partner with the private sector to enhance communications connectivity for O‘ahu residents and businesses and enable the Department of Defense to modernize our infrastructure.”
“Integrating this advanced, high-density fiber route advances our goal to continue diversifying our network and fortifying our infrastructure to meet the growing digital demands of our local businesses and communities,” said Hawaiian Telcom President Su Shin. “This forward-thinking investment is another example of Hawaiian Telcom’s unwavering commitment to keep Hawaiʻi connected to the world as we have for more than 140 years.”
“This new fiber route was strategically placed deep underground to protect it from disruptions,” said Chris Laine, General Manager of Hawaiian Telcom Federal. “Our new direct connection between West and Metro O‘ahu strengthens Hawaiian Telcom’s backbone network and bolsters network diversity throughout the island by providing an additional route for data and voice traffic.”
Hawaiian Telcom is also working on an $87 million fiber broadband project to expand middle mile infrastructure and further strengthen Hawai‘i’s network diversity statewide. Partially supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Hawaiian Telcom is currently building 15 new fiber routes over land and undersea, which includes a new Northern interisland route for increased resiliency and reliability.
Since 2010, Hawaiian Telcom has invested more than $1 billion to expand its fiber footprint, maintain and increase capacity of its communications network, and support its integrated communication solutions for its customers.
About Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) combines two historic bases into a single joint installation to support both Air Force and Navy missions, along with our tenant commands, service members and their families. By capitalizing on best practices of both services, we will continue to improve and increase our warfighting readiness, maximize delivery of installation support services throughout the joint base, and capture efficiencies as opportunities arise.
About Hawaiian Telcom
Established by King David Kalakaua in 1883, Hawaiian Telcom, a locally managed legacy company, has served Hawaiʻi's telecommunications needs for over 140 years. Headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaiian Telcom delivers communications solutions, including high-speed internet, video, voice, data network solutions and security, managed and cloud services to residential, business and wholesale customers over its statewide future-proof fiber network. Hawaiian Telcom has expanded the possibilities of community connectivity, offering the fastest, most reliable connection available through its resilient, weather-proof fiber network.
Hawaiian Telcom has made a significant investment in the state, from building local infrastructure, including laying new undersea cables across the Pacific to Asia, to making strides in closing the digital divide by expanding its services statewide and supporting local organizations with programs focused on digital equity. Since 2017, between grants and sponsorships, Hawaiian Telcom has given more than $5.5 million to support nonprofits and charitable initiatives across Hawaiʻi. For more information, visit Hawaiiantel.com.
About Hawaiian Telcom Federal
Hawaiian Telcom Federal focuses on the specific needs of federal government agencies in Hawai‘i. For more information, visit htfederal.com.
Contact
Ann Nishida Fry
(808) 285-9289
Ann.nishida@hawaiiantel.com
Charles Anthony
(808) 473-2926
charles.j.anthony.civ@us.navy.mil