New Law Expands Hawai’i’s Broadband Technology

By Wendy Osher

Photo by Wendy Osher.

Governor Neil Abercrombie signed a bill into law yesterday that expands broadband access in Hawai’i.  The ultra high-speed internet access provides for the transfer of large amounts of data, that may not be technically feasible with Hawai’i’s current broadband connectivity.

In signing the bill yesterday, the Governor said, “Expanding broadband is one of the keys to transforming Hawai’i’s economy for the 21st century.”

“Availability of broadband will change everything we do – from how we educate our children and deliver health care to the monitoring and control of our energy consumption,” said Gov. Abercrombie.

Under House Bill 1342, broadband infrastructure improvements have a 5 year exemption from state or county permitting requirements.  Telecommunications companies are also exempt from replacing utility poles when installing or improving telecommunications cables under the law.

The new Act requires the Director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to submit a report to the legislature by 2016 reviewing the exemptions and making recommendations.

Governor Abercrombie continues to review legislative bills.  He must either veto or sign the measures before him into law by a July 12, 2011 deadline.