Internet providers in Honolulu, HI
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Best overall
- Prices: $49.99 per month
- Speeds up to: 1,000 Mbps
for 12 mos with Auto Pay.
for 12 mos with Auto Pay.
Best fixed wireless internet
- Prices: $60.00 per month
- Speeds up to: 245 Mbps
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Allconnect’s team of broadband experts regularly reviews the top internet service providers in the U.S., scrutinizing each company under a rigorous scoring system to help our readers make informed internet purchases. We keep our data points accurate and up to date based on thorough research and partnership communications. Our content is not directed by partners. Visit our full methodology page and advertising disclosure to learn more.
Honolulu may be well known as a popular tourist destination, but it’s much more — the capital of Hawaii, the state’s most populous city and home to a diverse, close-knit community that values family and traditions. It’s also a place to enjoy beautiful weather and the laid-back pace of island life.
Like the rest of Hawaii, Honolulu is known for its high cost of living, which means locals will take every chance they can get to save on essential services like home internet. Fortunately, Honolulu has several options for affordable, fast home Wi-Fi, so you can stay entertained and keep up with work from home.
Here, we’ll dive deeper into the “Big Pineapple’s” internet market and help you compare your best options for internet service providers in Honolulu.
Best internet providers in Honolulu, HI
- Spectrum: Best overall
- Hawaiian Telcom: Best fiber internet
- T-Mobile Home Internet: Best fixed wireless internet
- Starlink: Fastest satellite connection
Honolulu internet comparison
The island of Oahu, where Honolulu is located, doesn’t have a huge list of options for home internet. However, locals can still choose from a handful of major providers and plans, with download speeds of up to 1 GB. Prices in Honolulu start as low as $39.99/mo.
In the table below, you’ll find an overview of our top picks for internet providers in Honolulu.
| Provider | Starting price range* | Download speed range | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | $49.99–$79.99/mo. | 300–1,000 Mbps | Cable |
| Hawaiian Telcom | $39.99–$69.99/mo. | 400–1,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | $60/mo. | 72–245 Mbps | Fixed wireless |
| Starlink | $120–$150/mo. | 25–220 Mbps | Satellite |
Methodology
We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2024. Each provider was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on over a dozen factors, including speed, cost, availability, fees, customer satisfaction, connection type and more. We also used data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to compare the average speed offered by internet companies in the U.S. to set a baseline for what is considered a good internet speed. Additionally, we analyzed data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how each internet service provider (ISP) fares in customer service and perceived value.
How to choose a provider in Honolulu, HI
Honolulu may not have a long list of internet providers, but there’s still a lot to consider when comparing home Wi-Fi plans. To be sure you get the most out of your plan, focus on the following features:
- Check your usage: Before you choose a plan, take a minute to tally up your typical internet usage so you understand your internet speed needs. Consider how many connected devices you have — especially ones that might demand a lot of bandwidth at the same time — and how people in your household use the internet. Streaming, gaming and video conferencing all require much more bandwidth than emailing and browsing.
- Count the costs: Honolulu internet providers may not advertise all plan costs upfront. Pay attention to equipment fees, installation charges and taxes to understand what you’ll pay each month and ensure it fits your budget.
- Save with discounts and deals: Some plans come with a lot of extra value, from options to bundle and save to bonus perks like free streaming subscriptions. Browse for home internet deals to get the most out of your plan.
Honolulu internet provider reviews
Spectrum – Best overall
Charter Spectrum, one of the largest internet providers in the U.S., offers cable internet to more than 90% of Honolulu’s residents. With download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps and no contracts or data caps, Spectrum is the best option for many customers in the area. However, it’s worth noting that Spectrum tends to require big price jumps after the first year, and the company scores below average on customer service.
Overall score: 3.9 out of 5.
Read our full Spectrum review.
Hawaiian Telcom – Best fiber internet
For high-speed download and upload connections, Hawaiian Telcom is the best option in the Honolulu area. Owned by Cincinnati Bell, this provider offers service to about 80% of residents in the area. Although it still uses DSL in some locations, its fiber plans are the better choice; where available, Hawaiian Telcom’s fiber internet offers gigabit, zero-lag connectivity with no data caps or contracts. You can also save by bundling internet with TV and home phone services.
T-Mobile Home Internet – Best fixed wireless internet
Although Honolulu’s fixed wireless coverage isn’t excellent, T-Mobile’s service reaches around 60% of homes in the area. Where its 5G service is available, it offers impressive download speeds of up to 245 Mbps, along with straightforward, all-inclusive pricing. You’ll pay a $35 setup charge, but you can save up to $20/mo. by bundling with a mobile plan.
Overall score: 4.1 out of 5.
Read our full T-Mobile review.
Starlink – Fastest satellite connection
Starlink is a pricier option among satellite internet providers, especially when it comes to equipment. However, it offers the fastest connectivity for customers in rural areas, with download speeds of up to 220 Mbps. Residential plans start at $120/mo. and include unlimited data, but you’ll pay $500 for the dish. If you’re looking for cheaper options, browse Hughesnet plans in Honolulu.
Overall score: 3.2 out of 5.
Read our full Starlink review.
Cheap internet in Honolulu, HI
The island of Oahu may be a pricey place to live, but its internet plans are actually quite reasonable. With internet service providers in Honolulu, you can get up to 400 Mbps symmetrical upload and download speeds for as low as $39.99/mo.
The following table lists some of the cheapest home Wi-Fi plans in Honolulu.
| Plan | Price* | Download speed | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaiian Telcom | $39.99/mo. | 400 Mbps | Fiber |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | $40/mo.** | 72–245 Mbps | Fixed wireless |
| Spectrum | $49.99/mo. | 300 Mbps | Cable |
**When bundled with a qualifying mobile plan.
Fastest internet in Honolulu, HI
Based on data from Ookla, the median internet download speed in Honolulu is 260 Mbps. That’s sufficient for browsing and light streaming, but you may want more if you’re gaming and streaming in 4K on 10 or more devices. Honolulu internet providers offer fiber and cable plans of up to 1 GB in many areas, so there are several options for fast home internet in the city.
| Plan | Price* | Download speed | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaiian Telcom | $69.99/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Spectrum | $79.99/mo. | Up to 1,000 Mbps | Cable |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | $60/mo. | Up to 245 Mbps | Fixed wireless |
Honolulu internet technology
Internet technology is a significant factor in your home Wi-Fi experience, so it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each connection type. You can choose from the following options with internet service providers in Honolulu:
- Fiber internet: Fiber-optic cables offer the fastest and most stable connection option, and their symmetrical upload and download speeds make for a lag-free streaming or gaming experience. However. Fiber isn’t available everywhere. Some areas of Honolulu have 85% coverage, while others have barely any fiber at all.
- Cable: Cable internet is generally much more accessible in Honolulu, with near-complete coverage in most parts of the city. Like fiber, cable offers gigabit download speeds, but its upload times are much slower. Cable connections also tend to get bogged down with too many devices.
- Fixed wireless: Cellular infrastructure has a long way to go before it’s widely available for home internet in Honolulu. However, T-Mobile’s 5G network offers a decent option, with up to 245 Mbps download speeds in some areas. Beware that fixed wireless technology is subject to big lag times when network demand is high.
- DSL: Relying on phone lines for internet connections is a much slower option, and it’s generally phasing out in most areas. However, Honolulu internet providers like Hawaiian Telcom still offer DSL where they haven’t upgraded their network to fiber.
- Satellite: Satellite internet availability always wins out in remote areas. All you need is a clear line of sight to the sky and a satellite dish, and you can connect from almost anywhere. It’s not as fast as fiber or cable, but Starlink offers up to 220 Mbps download speeds in Honolulu, more than the average maximum satellite speeds of 150 Mbps. Hughesnet is also a widely available option, with speeds up to 50 Mbps.
Honolulu internet FAQs
Does Honolulu have fiber internet?
Yes, Hawaiian Telcom offers fiber-optic internet in Honolulu. Connection speeds vary by location, but it’s possible to get gigabit upload and download speeds in the area.
How fast is Spectrum’s internet on Oahu?
Spectrum offers cable internet with download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps on Oahu. Upload speeds are much slower, at only 35 Mpps.
Is there free Wi-Fi in Honolulu?
Honolulu Hotzone offers free Wi-Fi connections at select public locations in the city, including Kuhio Beach Park and the Fasi Municipal Building.
This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.
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