Spectrum vs. Hawaiian Telcom
In Hawaii, the main wired choices are Spectrum cable and Hawaiian Telcom, which sells fiber at many addresses. Here's how they compare.
If Hawaiian Telcom offers fiber at your address, it's the better connection, with plans from $30/mo and fiber up to 3 Gig in select areas. Spectrum is $30, $40 or $60 for the first year and is widely available, but prices rise after 12 months.
Side by side
Which to choose
- Hawaiian Telcom fiber for steady speeds and fast uploads.
- Spectrum where Hawaiian Telcom only offers DSL, or for the cheapest first year.
- On Spectrum, set a reminder for month 11: Spectrum after 12 months.
Reviews: Hawaiian Telcom · Spectrum. Rural areas: the best rural internet.
Questions to ask before ordering
- Hawaiian Telcom: is my address fiber or DSL, and what's the price after any promotion?
- Spectrum: what is the standard rate after 12 months, and is there an activation fee?
- Both: which router is included, and are there installation fees?
Other options in Hawaii
Starlink works across the islands and starts at $55/mo; 5G home internet is available in parts of Oahu and other islands. See is Starlink worth it? and the best 5G home internet. For every plan by price, see the cheapest internet in Hawaii.
Cost over three years
Weather and outages
Fiber and cable both run underground in many neighborhoods but on poles in others, so storms can affect either. If outages are a concern, a 5G backup line or Starlink on a separate network adds resilience; see the best backup internet.
Questions
Does Hawaiian Telcom have fiber?
Yes, at select addresses, with speeds up to 3 Gig. Other addresses get DSL.
Is Spectrum available in Hawaii?
Yes. Spectrum serves much of Hawaii with cable internet.
What is the best internet in Hawaii?
Where Hawaiian Telcom offers fiber, it usually gives the fastest, steadiest connection. Spectrum cable is the most widely available alternative.
How much is Hawaiian Telcom internet?
Plans start at $30/mo with no bundle required, with fiber up to 3 Gig at select addresses.
Sources (1)
- Plan pages and Broadband Facts labels from Hawaiian Telcom, Spectrum, checked Oct 2026
Prices and offers change often; confirm at your address before you order. How we research
Jean founded ShopHighSpeed after trying to find one straight answer about business internet in his own town. He has been a Comcast and Verizon Fios customer, and ranks providers on what they actually deliver, not on what they advertise.