The following summary has been condensed for length and readability. To listen to the full discussion, click here. This episode is sponsored by ETI Software and VETRO FiberMap.
In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, host Brad Hine sits down with Jonathan Delahoyde, Senior Manager of Fiber-to-the-Premise Deployment Strategy at Hawaiian Telcom, at Broadband Communities West in San Diego. Their discussion covers the unique challenges of broadband expansion in Hawaii, the importance of future-proofing infrastructure, and how funding and partnerships are driving fiber deployment across the islands.
With an ambitious goal to connect every single-family home in Hawaii with fiber by 2026, Hawaiian Telcom is navigating a landscape unlike any other in the U.S. This episode sheds light on the strategies, obstacles, and innovations shaping broadband expansion in the Pacific.
Unlike broadband expansion projects on the U.S. mainland, Hawaiian Telcom faces significant geographical, environmental, and infrastructural challenges. With six major islands and numerous remote communities, the company must design networks that account for varied terrains, extreme weather conditions, and existing infrastructure constraints.
Hawaii’s landscape presents a mix of dense rainforests, active lava fields, desert-like areas, and mountainous terrain, all of which impact broadband deployment. Delahoyde explains that while directional boring works in some regions, other areas have solid volcanic rock that makes underground fiber installation nearly impossible.
Additionally, weather conditions vary dramatically across the islands. Heavy rains in some areas cause erosion and flooding, while strong trade winds and salt air corrode infrastructure, requiring materials that can withstand these elements.
While rural broadband deployment is often the focus of funding programs, urban areas in Hawaii also pose significant challenges. Many buildings in Waikiki and Honolulu were constructed in the 1950s-70s, making it difficult to retrofit them with fiber. Older apartment buildings often lack modern conduits for fiber, requiring innovative workarounds to bring high-speed connectivity to residents.
To overcome these hurdles, Hawaiian Telcom is implementing a fiber-first strategy, aiming to retire its legacy copper infrastructure in favor of fiber-based networks that can deliver higher speeds and greater reliability.
One of the key themes of the conversation is the importance of building a future-proof network. Delahoyde emphasizes that in earlier deployments, the company was forced to stretch funding dollars, leading to some underbuilt areas that now require upgrades.
To avoid this issue in the future, Hawaiian Telcom is focused on right-sizing infrastructure from the start. This means:
By investing upfront in robust infrastructure, Hawaiian Telcom aims to reduce future upgrade costs and ensure long-term broadband reliability for residents and businesses.
Expanding broadband access requires significant financial investment, and Hawaiian Telcom is leveraging both public and private funding sources to accelerate deployment.
Hawaiian Telcom is an active participant in several federal broadband funding programs, including:
While federal funding plays a significant role, Hawaiian Telcom is also privately held by Macquarie Infrastructure, which provides additional financial resources. The company has also partnered with local organizations, such as the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, to ensure broadband reaches Native Hawaiian communities.
These combined efforts are enabling Hawaiian Telcom to accelerate fiber deployment across the state, with a target of completing single-family home fiber installations by 2026.
Beyond discussing network expansion, Delahoyde shares insights from his own career journey. His story is one of resilience, adaptability, and taking on challenges head-on.
Delahoyde began his career in Tampa, Florida, working for Verizon in a van with no air conditioning, installing infrastructure with a shovel in hand. His entry into the industry came from a newspaper job listing, and he quickly learned the ropes by taking on challenging assignments.
His career path eventually led him to Hawaii, where he transitioned from working as a beach photographer to landing a role at Hawaiian Telcom. Despite missing his initial entry test by a single question, he studied for six months, reapplied, and ultimately secured a job that took him to the Big Island.
Now, Delahoyde is leading broadband deployment for an entire state, managing 30-40 projects per month across multiple islands. His journey highlights the importance of persistence, taking risks, and embracing new opportunities in the broadband industry.
With a fiber-first strategy, strong public-private partnerships, and a commitment to future-proofing infrastructure, Hawaiian Telcom is well-positioned to deliver high-speed broadband to all Hawaiian residents.
Key takeaways from the episode include:
As the conversation wraps up, Jonathan Delahoyde reflects on his approach to challenges: “Always take the tough jobs, stay adaptable, and focus on the adventure ahead.”
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