DSL internet in Kona (Kailua, Captain Cook: rental, how much, places to live)

[miss_dee]

I'm planning a move to the Big Island within the next 2 years - either at retirement in 2 years or earlier, if I am approved to telecommute. In order to telework, DSL internet is a requirement.

I would prefer to live in South Kona, for example, Kealakekua, Captain Cook, or Honaunau, but wondering if DSL service is available. I'll be perfectly content to live in Kailua-Kona, but would rather be just a bit south.

So do I need to hold off on a move til retirement, or is reliable DSL service available in Kona?

Thanks for any information you can provide.

[Fredesch]

Look at Time-Warner Oceanic cable, they will be faster than DSL.

[Fredesch]

You can also check out Hawaii Broadband Map Project. You can leave off mobile if not on a mobile device.

[miss_dee]

Thanks for your response. My employer requires a DSL internet connection.

I'm not sure I understand what I'm seeing on the map. When I go to Layers and click on DSL, the green areas on the map have DSL coverage? Please forgive my ignorance - hopefully I'll get it on the second bounce.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by miss_dee

My employer requires a DSL internet connection.

Ok. I'll bite. That sounds really odd. Why?

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by miss_dee

Thanks for your response. My employer requires a DSL internet connection.

It's unfortunate your employer is not more flexible about HOW you get your internet connection, because the Big Island is quite rural on average, and quite remote, and in many desirable places to live on the island people are unable to get an internet connection of any kind.

I'm not sure I understand what I'm seeing on the map. When I go to Layers and click on DSL, the green areas on the map have DSL coverage?

Yes, click only on DSL and it will show you only where that choice is available... and there's not any guarantee you can get it even there. It's just a very general display, but it does clearly demonstrate that there are pretty serious limitations on the areas served. Click on the Cable layer and you'll see how much more widely that technology is available.

Do a Search on the subject in the archives here and you can pull up some previous discussions for more detail. I recall people talking about being in a DSL service area and still not being able to actually get service for a year or more because the existing services are already oversubscribed.

Good luck.

[miss_dee]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Ok. I'll bite. That sounds really odd. Why?

My employer is Uncle Sam, and he requires DSL. Nothing else is acceptable.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by miss_dee

My employer is Uncle Sam, and he requires DSL. Nothing else is acceptable.

Thanks. I'll let my buddies know. They definitely aren't using DSL.

[davephan]

That sounds strange that the federal government would require DSL and other forms of Internet connectivity are unacceptable. Is that for security reasons? I assume that you would be connecting with a VPN encrypted connection no matter what type of Internet connection you use.

While we were staying on Maui, our Internet connectivity was not reliable using Oceanic cable. I've heard mixed stories about Oceanic cable reliability. Some say it is reliable, others say it is not reliable. I think if you are telecommuting and your job requires connectivity, I think it would be more important to have redundant methods for your Internet connection, rather than limiting yourself to only one method (DSL), with no backup Internet connection.

[miss_dee]

From the map, it appears my preferred places to live are covered. Next would come the problem of finding a rental in ones those places.

It may be months before I get approval to telework, and maybe never, but I want the prepared in case it does happen. I'm going to ask at work today why DSL is required.

Thanks for your input!