internet access

[getty62]

will be moving to the big island in the next few months, just trying to find out some info. any suggestion about phone, cell phone and internet would be greatly appreciated

[mdd7000]

quote:

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Originally posted by getty62

will be moving to the big island in the next few months, just trying to find out some info. any suggestion about phone, cell phone and internet would be greatly appreciated

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Where? Be as exact as you can. It matters quite a bit.

[getty62]

will be there in september to look at real estate. most likely orchidland and hawaiian acres and maybe surrounding area.

[DTisme]

DSL: Much of the island doesn't get DSL. Your real estate agent might tell you that it's not a problem, but if it's super important to you, you might want to call Hawaiian Tel w/the address of the house you buy and ask specifically. I'm in HPP at 3rd & Maku'u and there's no DSL here. I think it stops at like 15th? Not sure about the streets, but I know I have a lot of upset neighbors bc we can't get it. I use Verizon's MiFi, which uses cell phone technology for access. But it ain't DSL.

cell: We find in our part of Puna that Verizon works the best.

phone: you only have one choice, which is Hawaiian Tel.

best of luck and welcome soon to the Big ISland!

[Rob Tucker]

I picked up a high speed package with Hawaiian Tel for about $64 a month. Includes all local calls, mainland calls and high speed. I thought it a reasonable deal and so far it seems to work fine.

[mdd7000]

quote:

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Originally posted by getty62

will be there in september to look at real estate. most likely orchidland and hawaiian acres and maybe surrounding area.

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You may not even have electricity on some streets, let alone phone lines. All depends on exactly where you will be. Some areas may have cable, especially near the highway.

I think I should add that even if DSL is listed "available" for your address, it may not be available if all of the ports are already used. You might be on the perpetual waiting list.

[getty62]

just checking on all the options, willing to deal with whats available. thanks for the info. really looking forward to this move.

[Rob Tucker]

My high speed with Hawaiian Tel runs on the hard wired phone line.

[KeaauRich]

DSL availability is frequently a roll of the dice - at least here in Orchidland. The stock answer is that DSL is offered in the area, but there are no available ports. So even if you call Hawaiian Tel when you're looking at property and they tell you DSL is available, it's meaningless until the day you call to actually have service installed at your house. If there's a port available that day, Bingo, you're a winner. If no ports are available, you could literally wait years for the planets to properly align and a port to open up. Despite what some Hawaiian Tel folks will tell you, there is no official "waiting list." It's all a matter of being in the right place at the right time when a port opens up.

Cellular companies like AT&T and Verizon offer broadband over their cellular networks, but again, it all depends on the signal strength at your location. This option is also pricey ($60/month on the Verizon plan last time I checked) and the usage is usually capped - go over your limit and you'll pay another arm and leg.

[missydog1]

I have lived where I had no internet options beyond dial-up on this island. Oddly, it was in the best house I've had, in the most well to do neighborhood. For the last five years I've had Roadrunner, and it does matter to me. But then, I'm one who really wanted County water or at least not catchment water.

getty, I hope you have done a lot of research, There's so much to learn about the different micro-neighborhoods. Quality of life in the hood can change from block to block. The fact that you speak broadly of the area concerns me that you don't know enough about it yet to make an important decision like a purchase.

Right now, if you pick the wrong place, it could be years before you could sell it and recoup your buying and selling costs. Please don't be starry-eyed. It is not so easy for people to find the right place for themselves on this island. Some luck out, others have to move around a bit (as I did).