08-06-2015, 06:17 AM
quote:Incorrect. The correct question is "seen significant investment in Puna"? The answer is no.
Originally posted by kalakoa
Anyone seeing any of this "significant investment" on the Big Island?
Look at a map of Hawaii island and imagine that rough quadrant that Puna occupies. That is all copper. The arc from south Kona across the north and down to Hilo are being upgraded with fiber. The conversion is a big cost for the telcom company, but the disadvantages of maintaining copper solely for the reason it's already there is offset by the decreased maintenance of fiber. It also takes a big weight off power poles. The cost of the electronics and fiber are much less than they were a few years ago. The investment reduces their profit margin, as the article reports, but the payback is profitable. This depends on customers per mile, which is Puna's problem. Significant size population but spread over a huge area, resulting in low density. For every one person that wants broadband, there are five that are just fine with being totally "off-grid", as long as they have their cell phone. Obvious to Hawaiian Tel, the land line business is disappearing. They have to switch over to being an internet provider but the profit margins in that are historically risky.
Main thing is the rest of the island moves to the Glass Age while Puna stays in the Copper Age circa 7000 BC.
"Aloha also means goodbye. Aloha!"
*Japanese tourist on bus through Pahoa, "Is this still America?*