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Spectrum vs Hawaiian Telcom in Honolulu
Honolulu shoppers trade Spectrum’s broader fast-tier availability for Hawaiian Telcom’s faster fiber uploads and wider overall reach at the same starting price.
Hawaiian Telcom is the better overall pick in Honolulu because it reaches about 98% of the city and offers much faster download and upload speeds, starting at the same $30/mo as Spectrum. Hawaiian Telcom wins on speed and overall coverage, while Spectrum and Hawaiian Telcom tie on starting price. Spectrum is a sensible choice for basic service or when its cable plan reaches your address, with up to 1,000/35 Mbps where available. Hawaiian Telcom is the stronger fit for gaming, work-from-home households, and heavy simultaneous use.
At a glance
Spectrum vs. Hawaiian Telcom, side by side.
| Provider | Type | Top speed | City coverage | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum |
Cable | 1 Gig 35 Mbps upload |
92% | $30/mo | Solid cable option |
| Hawaiian Telcom |
Fiber | 2 Gig 2 Gig upload |
98% | $30/mo | Top fiber speeds |
Coverage map
Two different questions, two views. Top speed shows who offers the faster plan where you can actually get it. Coverage shows who reaches more of each ZIP. Or pick a single provider to see just its footprint.
Neighborhood breakdown
The better choice can shift block to block because address-level availability varies across Honolulu. Hawaiian Telcom reaches about 98% of the city overall, while Spectrum reaches about 92%; check both providers at your exact address before deciding.
| ZIP | Neighborhoods | Coverage | Top speed | Rank score | Winner | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | Hawaiian Telcom | Spectrum | Hawaiian Telcom | Spectrum | Hawaiian Telcom | |||
| 96816 | Kaimuki, Kahala, Wilhelmina Rise, Palolo | 98% | 97% | 1 Gig | 2 Gig | 47 | 85 | Hawaiian Telcom |
| 96817 | Kalihi, Liliha, Nuuanu, Kapalama | 84% | 69% | 1 Gig | 2 Gig | 40 | 61 | Hawaiian Telcom |
| 96819 | Kalihi Valley, Kalihi Kai, Mapunapuna, Airport | 95% | 94% | 1 Gig | 2 Gig | 45 | 82 | Hawaiian Telcom |
| 96822 | Manoa, Makiki, Punahou, University | 100% | 97% | 1 Gig | 2 Gig | 48 | 85 | Hawaiian Telcom |
| 96815 | Waikiki, Diamond Head, Kapahulu | 91% | 48% | 1 Gig | 2 Gig | 43 | 42 | Spectrum |
| 96813 | Downtown Honolulu, Chinatown, Nuuanu, Punchbowl | 69% | 62% | 1 Gig | 2 Gig | 33 | 55 | Hawaiian Telcom |
| 96821 | Aina Haina, Niu Valley, Waialae Iki | 100% | 99% | 1 Gig | 2 Gig | 48 | 87 | Hawaiian Telcom |
| 96825 | Hawaii Kai, Kalama Valley, Portlock, Koko Head | 98% | 89% | 1 Gig | 2 Gig | 47 | 79 | Hawaiian Telcom |
| 96814 | Ala Moana, Kakaako, Sheridan | 75% | 50% | 1 Gig | 2 Gig | 36 | 44 | Hawaiian Telcom |
| 96826 | McCully, Moiliili, Kapiolani | 96% | 82% | 1 Gig | 2 Gig | 46 | 73 | Hawaiian Telcom |
| 96818 | Salt Lake, Aliamanu, Foster Village, Moanalua | 95% | 85% | 1 Gig | 2 Gig | 45 | 75 | Hawaiian Telcom |
Rank score (0–100) is each provider’s Speed Score, discounted for weak upload, times the share of that ZIP it reaches — the same rule that orders providers on the Honolulu city page, so it moves as availability changes street to street.
Which is better for…
The right pick comes down to what you actually do online.
Get connected
Pick your provider and check availability at your address.
- 2 Gig down · 2 Gig up Fiber
- 940 Mbps down · 500 Mbps up Fiber
- 25 Mbps down · 3 Mbps up Copper
See what’s actually available at your address
Coverage changes from one street to the next. Check your exact address in seconds.
Check my addressFrequently asked questions
Is Hawaiian Telcom or Spectrum available at my Honolulu address?
Hawaiian Telcom reaches about 98% of Honolulu overall, while Spectrum reaches about 92% across its services. Availability still varies block to block, so check both providers using your exact address before ordering.
Which is cheaper, Spectrum or Hawaiian Telcom, and what will I actually pay?
Both Spectrum and Hawaiian Telcom start at $30/mo, but these are promotional starting rates. Confirm the post-promo rate, equipment fees, and any contract with the provider before signing.
Which is faster for gaming, work from home, or 4K streaming?
Hawaiian Telcom offers up to 2,850/2,850 Mbps on fiber, reaching about 84% of the city at that tier, while Spectrum offers up to 1,000/35 Mbps on cable, reaching about 92% at that tier. Check which tier reaches your address, especially if upload-heavy gaming or work matters.