High-Speed Internet on the Big Island (Hilo, Waimea: hoa, travel, job)

[surfmonkey17]

Hi everyone,

We are moving to the Big Island in a few months and I was wondering about internet connections there. I work from home and need high-speed internet for my job. Will we need to live in Hilo or Kona (unsure where we are going to end up as it will depend on where my fiance gets a job), or is high-speed available farther out? Would wireless internet be better or is that even harder to get outside of the major towns?

Any input is appreciated. Thank you.

[jessiesma]

moved to Pahoa a couple of months ago and she can get it but she's still waiting for them to get around to going out there. So if you need it faster than Aloha time, oh well!

Originally Posted by surfmonkey17

Hi everyone,

We are moving to the Big Island in a few months and I was wondering about internet connections there. I work from home and need high-speed internet for my job. Will we need to live in Hilo or Kona (unsure where we are going to end up as it will depend on where my fiance gets a job), or is high-speed available farther out? Would wireless internet be better or is that even harder to get outside of the major towns?

Any input is appreciated. Thank you.

[surfmonkey17]

Originally Posted by jessiesma

moved to Pahoa a couple of months ago and she can get it but she's still waiting for them to get around to going out there. So if you need it faster than Aloha time, oh well!

Thank you. That is what I was afraid of. I had heard 2-3 weeks, but months?

I am wondering if wireless broadband would be the way to go. Anyone know how that works or if it is available out there? If I get wireless broadband, is it quicker to get setup? I have never used wireless before, but I am purchasing a laptop in a couple of months. I would love to be able to work on my lanai or in the yard versus being cooped up inside all day like I am now. I guess I may have to take more time off then the original 2 weeks I planned.

[cwm]

We live in Hilo and our internet connectivity is great. We have a wireless router in the house so we can all be on the internet simultaneously. We use roadrunner service from Oceanic Time Warner. Much better than our Comcast service was in Northern CA and one of our selection criteria for moving to Hilo.
Moving to Hilo, Hawaii

[scirocco22]

Originally Posted by surfmonkey17

Thank you. That is what I was afraid of. I had heard 2-3 weeks, but months?

I am wondering if wireless broadband would be the way to go. Anyone know how that works or if it is available out there? If I get wireless broadband, is it quicker to get setup? I have never used wireless before, but I am purchasing a laptop in a couple of months. I would love to be able to work on my lanai or in the yard versus being cooped up inside all day like I am now. I guess I may have to take more time off then the original 2 weeks I planned.

Yes, you can have a router set up inside and get wireless out in your yard or lanai from your cable or DSL connection.

However, I have a wireless broadband card that I obtain service from a cell phone carrier through an EVDO connection. The last time I was on the Big Island, I had excellent coverage using my Sprint card with EVDO just about everywhere I went. I've heard that Verizon and AT&T both have similar coverage.

You can also set up your data card on a router also but you can also insert it into your laptop to carry your own connection anywhere you go. Anywhere there is a cell signal, you'll have internet. In and around the bigger population areas, you'll have high speed internet so even if you go to the mainland, you'll have your own internet just about anywhere you go.

It's excellent if you travel a lot around the country. I use it as my sole internet connection. It's nice because I have my own internet connection just about anywhere I travel in the country. It's about $45-60/month depending on which carrier you use. Sprint gives you unlimited upload and download.

I love it! Let me know if you have any questions.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

We use Aloha Broadband for high speed wireless connection at our house near South Point. We get great service with them. Also, Roadrunner is available in our subdivision, but we are wired for cable and I don't know about other areas. So, yes, you can get high-speed internet outside of Hilo and Kona!

[surfmonkey17]

Originally Posted by scirocco22

Yes, you can have a router set up inside and get wireless out in your yard or lanai from your cable or DSL connection.

However, I have a wireless broadband card that I obtain service from a cell phone carrier through an EVDO connection. The last time I was on the Big Island, I had excellent coverage using my Sprint card with EVDO just about everywhere I went. I've heard that Verizon and AT&T both have similar coverage.

You can also set up your data card on a router also but you can also insert it into your laptop to carry your own connection anywhere you go. Anywhere there is a cell signal, you'll have internet. In and around the bigger population areas, you'll have high speed internet so even if you go to the mainland, you'll have your own internet just about anywhere you go.

It's excellent if you travel a lot around the country. I use it as my sole internet connection. It's nice because I have my own internet connection just about anywhere I travel in the country. It's about $45-60/month depending on which carrier you use. Sprint gives you unlimited upload and download.

I love it! Let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you for the input. It definitely gives me other options to check out. I am not familiar with EVDO so I will definitely check into that. I would be okay with the router option too as long as we could get the cable or DSL where we were living. I tried to look into Oceanic, but their website doesn't state what areas of the island they cover, so I guess I will have to call them if I decide to pursue that route. But it sounds like internet shouldn't be a problem in most areas. We were really hoping to live outside of Hilo or Kona versus living in town, but I would have to live in town if it came to not being able to get high-speed internet since my job depends on it. Thank you everyone for the help. I can't wait to be back in Hawaii!

[ashten]

we go to the big island a couple of times a year, and we have a at&t sierra wireless air card, that we have unlimited usage on, for $60 a month. it is really nice, and has worked pretty much everywhere, including Pahoa, Hilo, Waimea, Volcano.... Sometimes if you are too far out, then it will be a little slower, but seems to work almost everywhere.

[surfmonkey17]

Just wanted to say thanks again to everyone. I ended up going with the Sprint wireless broadband service and so far it works great! I am very impressed with the speed and love the fact that I can go practically anywhere with it. Thanks again for the help as that was one stress for me with this move since my job is dependent on my having a good internet connection.

[GoingtoHawaii]

So you've made your move?! Where did you decide on living?