State plan seeks to expand broadband connectivity across Hawaii

Hawai‘i has released an updated strategic plan that aims to achieve digital equity across the islands by strengthening broadband infrastructure and programs. The Hawai‘i Broadband Strategic Plan 2020 offers what state officials say is a fresh look at ways to boost broadband connectivity at a time when the coronavirus pandemic is showing how important it is for education, health and economic prosperity. The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, with support from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the Office of Planning, published the plan, which is an update to the original Hawai‘i Broadband Strategic Plan released in 2012. The plan calls for a strategy of building carrier- neutral cable landing infrastructure on Oahu and the neighbor islands to lower the cost barrier for trans- Pacific fiberoptic cables to land in Hawaii.