INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Cabling
University of Hawai ’ i and Ocean Networks announce a new $ 120M undersea cable project
The new Hawaiian Islands Fiber Link ( HIFL ) subsea cable will expand high-speed Internet statewide .
University of Hawai ’ i ( UH ) and Ocean Networks , Inc . ( ONI ) have announced a $ 120 million , public-private partnership to construct a submarine optical fiber cable system that will connect the Hawaiian Islands and improve and expand high-speed broadband Internet throughout the state .
HIFL will be a carrier-neutral , open-access system with landing sites on O ’ ahu , Hawai ’ i , Maui , Kaua ’ i , Lāna ’ i and Moloka ’ i that will improve Hawai ’ i inter-island and regional connectivity .
The system will have 24 fiber pairs with a design life of 25 years and is expected to be ready for service in late 2026 .
The project is being overseen by the UH System Office for Information Technology with support from the Research Corporation of the University of Hawai ’ i .
The project , the Hawaiian Islands Fiber Link ( HIFL ), is a key component of Connect Kākou , the state ’ s broadband initiative and a top priority of the Governor . Josh Green administration .
Under the direction of Lt . Governor Sylvia Luke , Connect Kākou will ensure that people from all walks of life have reliable and affordable access to high-speed Internet .
“ This inter-island cable system will leverage the once-in-ageneration federal investment for technological infrastructure and position our state for long-term economic growth ,” said Gov . Green , M . D . “ The resulting network will be open to all carriers and sufficiently support all manner of telecommunications carrier and enterprise traffic , including anticipated future high-capacity demands supporting healthcare , education , research , public service , commerce and government uses .”
“ We are very pleased to be partnering with Ocean Networks ,” said Garret Yoshimi , UH Vice President for Information Technology and CIO .
“ The Ocean Networks team has significant industry experience , specifically working here in Hawai ’ i . It ’ s an honor for UH to play an important role in connecting Hawai ’ i to the future .”
“ We are delighted to collaborate with the UH and proud that ONI has been selected to build and operate the new HIFL submarine cable system ,” said Cliff Miyake , VP Business Development of Ocean Networks , Inc .
“ The HIFL system will provide critical improvement to the broadband infrastructure for the State of Hawai ’ i .” p
ONI is responsible for the supply , construction , operations and maintenance of the inter-island cable system .
Partial funding will be provided through a federal grant , and the remaining funds will be secured by ONI through private equity and secured debt .
When it goes online , HIFL will be able to process a high volume of data with minimal delay and will be the inter-island backbone of Connect Kākou .
“ This is just one part of our plan to guarantee the state ’ s longterm Internet connectivity ,” said LG Luke . “ Connect Kākou has over $ 500 million in federal grants , state funds and private matching funds available as we work towards connecting the unconnected and make sure everyone has access to reliable , affordable high-speed Internet .”
64 INTELLIGENTCIO NORTH AMERICA www . intelligentcio . com