Fiberoptic cable in Fern Forest

[seekir]

When I asked the tech if the service would be DSL, he said no, this FO cable is for a faster, better kind of broadband, specifically not DSL.

[KeaauRich]

I suspect the tech didn't know what he was talking about, or may have been basing it on Oahu experience. If Hawaiian Tel were going to install anything close to state of the art fiber to the home on the Big Island, they wouldn't start in Fern Forest, where the population density wouldn't justify the installation expense (I have nothing against Fern Forest..I'd say the same about my beloved Orchidland). They'd first install it on the Kona side, where the population is richer, houses are closer together, etc.

FWIW, an installer told our neighbor about 7 years ago that the fiber Hawaiian Tel was installing in our development would bring us the kind of services we see advertised on TV (super fast internet, cable TV service, etc.). We got a few more DSL ports and a slight increase in speed (bringing us into the 20th century...), but that's about it. In theory, bringing fiber to the developments brings us a step closer to those those "advanced here/routine everywhere else" type services, but that's like saying putting $100 in a savings account is the first step towards guaranteeing a retirement income.

[seekir]

I agree that Fern Forest is not a hot market for infrastructure providers, but frankly, I'm inclined to trust what I heard from the horse's mouth. Again, I asked specifically if the service would be DSL. There was no hesitation in the tech's negative reply. There were three trucks working here, and it seems safe to assume that the guys who were stringing the cable are better equipped to know what they were installing than any of us. Assuming the cost of FO is not astronomical, why would they want to install obsolete copper cable here (or anywhere) that would soon be outmoded and likely need to be (expensively) replaced with better hardware in the near future? If the more populated areas of the island (like Kona) already have DSL capable copper (unlike most of FF), there may not be a great rush to rip out and upgrade their already functioning broadband. I guess we'll know for certain just exactly what they've installed here in a few months.

[leilanidude]

It is odd that Fern Forest would be chosen for this. Density is a bit low for the investment. Heck, I have been waiting 4 years for cable to finish the build out of lower Leilani. They are now 3 streets away and the density in my section is way higher. DSL via Hawaiian Telcom peaks at 7x1.

[MarkP]

Hey, I'm on satellite. DSL would be a step up. They started down the main road here in Eden Roc a month ago and a coupla days ago came through my street. I hope it means I can finally upgrade to SOMETHING land based, without a data cap. The main evidence of their passage is that all the trees under the power lines are topped. They kind of made a mess with that. BTW, what happens to an Ohia that's been topped halfway up?

[kalakoa]

why would they want to install obsolete copper cable

They aren't installing new copper. The existing copper is perfectly capable of delivering a few Mbit of broadband. As an extra added bonus, it's already depreciated.

There is fiber in Hawaiian Acres. It provides an uplink for the RDSLAM. Fiber is sometimes installed to serve a cell tower.

DSL via Hawaiian Telcom peaks at 7x1.

Speed of DSL varies with distance. My office in Hilo gets 25Mbit. Despite the fact that it's in town and surrounded by apartment buildings, fiber is not available.

what happens to an Ohia that's been topped halfway up?

New sprouts where it's been cut. Unless it was infected with ROD by dirty tools.

[bluesboy]

quote:

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Originally posted by kalakoa

My office in Hilo gets 25Mbit. Despite the fact that it's in town and surrounded by apartment buildings, fiber is not available.

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starbucks?

[ericlp]

Hmmm, strange. Dunno how much you can trust this, but.... Seems people in fern forest are already getting the service scheduled for install. One person said, Hawaiian Telcom offered her the 100 Megabit up package. Seems they are done installing it down captains. Or working there way back to the end... Wouldn't it be wild if Jungle Jim road could have access to 100Mbit internet service.

I also heard they are are employing part of TWC crews to help with install. As most people are saying they are seeing TWC trucks as well. Interesting happenings. This is from FernForest board I am associated with on FaceBook.

[kalakoa]

Telcom offered her the 100 Megabit up package

Guess I'm moving to Fern Forest. Anyone know of property for sale on Captain's? Permitted only, please, I want to run for Mayor eventually.

[ericlp]

quote:

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Originally posted by kalakoa

Telcom offered her the 100 Megabit up package

Guess I'm moving to Fern Forest. Anyone know of property for sale on Captain's? Permitted only, please, I want to run for Mayor eventually.

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I'm wondering if the GIG package is available, tho, 120 is kinda steep! But for a gig? Hmmm, would be nice eh?

http://www.hawaiiantel.com/Residential/I...fault.aspx

I actually have a lot right on captains. Was thinking of moving back if the rumors are really true. I'm pretty happy with spectrum, even tho, it's SHARED data. 100Megs dedicated sounds nice.