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Hawaii's Broadband Landscape <br />What is broadband? The term "broadband" has been defined in many ways <br />throughout the evolution of telecommunications technology. Today, it is generally <br />understood to refer to advanced telecommunications capability. More specifically, <br />broadband is defined as a data transmission service that enables end users <br />(government, business, schools, residents) to access the Internet and use a variety of <br />Internet applications at established speeds. The term "speed" is used to refer to the <br />amount of data that may be transmitted per second, i.e., the amount of a <br />telecommunication system's bandwidth that may be utilized by the end user to transmit <br />data. It is measured in two directions: the speed at which an end user can download <br />content from the Internet (the download or downstream speed) and the speed at which <br />an end user can upload content to the Internet (the upload or upstream speed). <br />This section provides a snapshot of the current broadband landscape across the State <br />including an overview of the State's existing telecommunications systems, a technical <br />overview of the distinct segments of physical infrastructure required, the types of <br />technology used to provide broadband connectivity in our island state, and the current <br />transpacific and interisland broadband infrastructure. <br />Broadband Infrastructure in the State <br />Hawaii's unique geography requires a wide range of infrastructure and technologies to <br />provide broadband connectivity both across the State and with the rest of the world. <br />As a multi -island, volcanic state in the middle of the Pacific, Hawaii must contend with <br />thousands of miles of ocean between it and the nearest continent, miles of deep ocean <br />channels separating its islands, soaring mountains, deep valleys, erupting volcanoes, <br />and thick tropical forests. <br />Economically feasible deployment of infrastructure to provide high-speed broadband <br />across this State, especially to low population density areas, presents a more <br />I!!lIIIIIIRIIIII!!I <br />