Hawaiian Telcom is expanding fiber service across Hawaiʻi and retiring aging copper facilities in fiber-served areas. Fiber technology provides a stronger, more resilient, and future-ready foundation for business communications and can support internet, voice, cloud applications, video conferencing, payment systems, security systems, and future growth. 

If your business currently uses copper-based voice, internet, or data services, Hawaiian Telcom will work with you to transition those services to fiber where available. Our team will review your current services, identify the appropriate replacement solution, and help coordinate the upgrade so the transition is as smooth as possible and minimizes disruption to your operations. 

Hawaiian Telcom is retiring aging copper facilities in fiber-served areas because copper networks are older and increasingly difficult to maintain. Fiber provides a more resilient, efficient, and future-ready platform for the communications services businesses rely on today and for future growth. 

Most businesses can continue operating as they do today after the upgrade. Depending on your current setup, some equipment or services may need to be updated, reconfigured, or reviewed with your vendor before migration. The transition may affect legacy business voice, internet, dedicated access, private networking, and older data services delivered over copper.  Your Hawaiian Telcom representative will review your account and explain what applies to your location. 

Our goal is to make the transition as seamless as possible. Any service interruption is typically brief and occurs while the technician completes the upgrade. Upgrades are scheduled in advance to minimize operational impact. 

Hawaiian Telcom will provide and install the equipment required to deliver your migrated Hawaiian Telcom services over fiber, such as the network equipment needed for the service connection. Customer-owned equipment, including routers, phones, alarm systems, elevator phones, fax machines, point-of-sale systems, security systems, or other specialty devices, remains the customer’s responsibility and may need to be reviewed, replaced, or reconfigured by the customer’s equipment vendor before the upgrade. 

Yes. Businesses can keep their existing telephone numbers when transitioning to fiber service. Your Hawaiian Telcom representative will confirm any phone number, dialing, or service impacts before the transition. 

Depending on the selected solution, a fiber-based service can provide:

• Improved network reliability and uptime 
• Faster issue resolution
• Reduced exposure to repeat weather-related outages
• Access to modern voice and internet solutions
• Greater bandwidth options for evolving business needs
• A technology platform designed to support the future of business communications

Service and bandwidth options will depend on the fiber solution available for the customer. 

Yes. Fiber is generally more resilient than aging copper infrastructure. Fiber is less susceptible to corrosion, moisture-related issues, and some of the challenges associated with maintaining copper facilities in Hawaiʻi’s coastal and tropical environment. Fiber also requires less ongoing maintenance and provides a more stable connection over time. 

Customers moving from copper High-Speed Internet to Fioptics who currently use a static IP address will receive a new IP address. Before upgrading, identify applications, firewalls, hosted services, or approved connections that depend on the existing address. 

Hawaiian Telcom will provide the equipment needed to move your Hawaiian Telcom services to fiber. Customer-owned specialty equipment, such as alarms, elevator phones, fax machines, POS systems, security systems, or medical monitoring devices, remains the customer’s responsibility. Please contact your equipment vendor before your scheduled upgrade to confirm compatibility and any needed updates. 

Fiber-based voice and internet services require power at your business location. During a power outage, services may not work unless backup power is available. Businesses that require uninterrupted communications should have a battery backup, UPS, or generator solution in place. 

Fiber equipment requires power. Battery-backup arrangements depend on the service being upgraded: 

• Hawaiian Telcom may provide a UPS for qualifying voice-line migrations under the applicable program
• Hawaiian Telcom does not provide a UPS for data-only applications
• Customer may use a compatible UPS to support Hawaiian Telcom and other customer equipment. 
• A Hawaiian Telcom-provided battery backup does not power equipment beyond Hawaiian Telcom's equipment.

No. There is no charge for the installation or equipment required to upgrade your existing services to fiber. Your monthly bill will not change unless you request new features, faster internet speeds, additional services, or a different service tier. 

That depends on the upgrade path: 

• A like-for-like upgrade will typically not change the price or require a new term.
• Moving to a different fiber-based product may involve new pricing or an agreement.
• If a legacy service cannot be supported on fiber, Hawaiian Telcom will discuss available alternatives.

If fiber is not currently available, Hawaiian Telcom will review the available options for your location. In some cases, that may mean continuing to support your existing copper service until fiber becomes available. Hawaiian Telcom’s long-term strategy is to transition customers from copper to fiber as fiber becomes available in their area. 

Before installation:

• Identify primary business and technical contacts. 
• Inventory affected phone, internet, network, alarm, fax, elevator, and specialized devices. 
• Identify applications that depend on a static IP address.
• Confirm available space and AC power near the equipment location.
• Coordinate with third-party equipment vendors when applicable.
• Prepare for the agreed upgrade window and associated downtime. 
• Test critical services after installation.

Your business will generally need to provide: 

• Access to the location and relevant equipment areas
• Adequate space for the new equipment 
• An available AC power outlet
• Business and technical contacts who can coordinate the upgrade

Once fiber service is available and the copper network in your area is scheduled for retirement, your business will need to transition to fiber to continue receiving service. Customers will receive advance notice before copper services are retired in their area, and we encourage businesses to schedule their upgrade as early as possible. 

As part of Hawaiian Telcom’s network modernization efforts, copper networks in fiber-served areas will eventually be retired. Once retirement activities occur in your area, services delivered over copper facilities will no longer be available. Customers are encouraged to complete their upgrade before the retirement date identified in their notice to ensure continuity of service. 

Contact your Hawaiian Telcom Account Manager or the contact listed in your upgrade notification. If you need help reaching the appropriate representative, contact Business Customer Care at (808) 643-4411.