Best Internet Providers in Hawaii

Where is the best internet provider in Hawaii?

Although Hawaii is part of the United States, it is quite isolated from the mainland. So living there means not having access to everything from the mainland. For example, billboards, daylight saving time, snakes, etc. Essentials like high-speed internet will still be available. Hawaii has some decent options for internet. Spectrum was named the best internet provider in all of Hawaii by CNET.offering gig speeds and availability throughout much of Hawaii, from the Big Island to Kauai. Spectrum also offers a variety of budget plans with simple service details that include unlimited data and a free modem.

If you’re outside of Spectrum’s coverage area, Hawaiian Telcom is also a good option. Unlike Spectrum’s cable network, it has a fiber optic network that offers speeds similar to or better than Spectrum. If you don’t have a wired Internet service provider in your area or want a fixed wireless connection, T-Mobile’s $60/month 5G Home Internet Service is also a great broadband alternative.

If you want the fastest internet in Hawaii, Spectrum, Hawaiian Telecom, and Verizon are the surefire choices, with amazingly fast plans up to 1,000Mbps with no data caps or contracts required. If you’re looking for the cheapest internet, Hawaiian Telecom’s 400Mbps plan is just $40 per month, $10 less than the average home broadband price in Hawaii.

Best Internet in Hawaii in 2024

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Internet breakdown by city in Hawaii

Covering broadband options in a state like Hawaii and giving individual cities the attention they deserve is difficult. That’s why we’ve also compiled a list of the best internet providers for cities across the United States, including Hawaii. We’ll tackle details like your internet connection type, maximum speed, and cheapest provider. If you can’t find the city you’re looking for below, please check back later. We’re working to add more locations every week.

Cheap Internet Options in Hawaii

Spectrum has the lowest starting price for internet in Hawaii at $30 per month for speeds up to 100Mbps. Hawaiian Telcom also offers plans starting at just $40 per month.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to find internet deals and promotions in Hawaii

The best internet deals and top promotions in Hawaii depend on the discounts available during the period. Most sales have a short shelf life, but we check frequently for the latest offers.

Hawaii internet providers such as Spectrum and Viasat may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many companies, including Verizon, have the same standard rates throughout the year.

For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide to the best internet deals.

Fastest Internet Plans in Hawaii

FCC report 100% of households in Hawaii are eligible for broadband speeds of at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. of Latest Ookla speed test data Hawaii’s average download speed is around 226Mbps, ranking 13th among all states (and Washington DC). (Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, the same parent company as CNET.) For those speeds and above, Spectrum, Hawaiian Telcom, and Verizon 5G Home are your best bets.

When it comes to speed potential and reliability, I’d say a fiber optic connection like the one available from Hawaiian Telcom is better than Spectrum’s cable connection. Fiber internet is equipped to support much faster upload speeds and is less susceptible to speed fluctuations during peak usage times.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

What is a good internet speed?

Most internet connectivity plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that supports video conferencing, streaming video, and gaming, you’ll enjoy a better experience with a more robust connection. Here is an overview of recommended minimum download speeds for various applications. According to the FCC. Please note that these are just guidelines and internet speed, service and performance will vary depending on connection type, provider and address.

For more information, see our guide to the internet speed you actually need.

• At 0-5Mbps, you can tackle basic tasks like browsing the Internet, sending and receiving emails, and streaming low-quality videos.
• 5-40Mbps allows for higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
• 40-100Mbps provides a single user with enough bandwidth to meet the demands of modern work-from-home, video streaming, and online gaming.
• 100-500Mbps allows one or two users to simultaneously participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
• 500-1,000Mbps allows three or more users to participate in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.

How CNET chooses the best internet providers in Hawaii

There are many Internet service providers and they vary by region. Unlike the latest smartphones, laptops, routers, and kitchen tools, it’s impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a particular city. What is our approach? First, we use proprietary pricing, availability, and speed information derived from our own historical ISP data, partner data, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC.gov). Use a database.

This is not the end. We go to the FCC’s website and review the data to ensure we account for all ISPs serving the area. Also, enter your local address on the provider’s website to find specific options for residents. Look at sources like the U.S. Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power to gauge how satisfied your customers are with your ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices may change frequently. All information provided is accurate at the time of publication.

Once you have this localized information, ask three main questions:

• Does your provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
• Are customers getting value for their money?
• Are your customers satisfied with your service?

The answers to these questions are often hierarchical and complex, but the provider that comes closest to a “yes” to all three is recommended. When choosing the cheapest internet service, look for the plan with the lowest monthly fee, taking into account price hikes, equipment costs, contract details, etc. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively easy. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider actual speed data from sources such as: Okura and FCC report.

To find out more about our process, please visit our How We Test ISPs page.

What’s the final word on Hawaii’s internet providers?

Although some amenities are less accessible and less affordable in Hawaii than in other parts of the United States, broadband connections and prices are as good in Hawaii as elsewhere. Spectrum is the best high-speed internet source in much of Hawaii, but Hawaiian Telcom’s fiber optic service may be better if it’s available at your address.

If neither offers service where you live, T-Mobile Home Internet is a good choice for hassle-free broadband. As a last resort, satellite provider Viasat is available throughout the Aloha State.

Hawaii Internet Provider Frequently Asked Questions