RES 043 Draft 01 2020-2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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cable infrastructure. The primary advantage of this system is that it can provide broadband service utilizing much of a provider's existing and widespread telephone infrastructure. A limitation of this system is that it carries less bandwidth than fiber and is distance sensitive. However, similar to improved cable system technologies that allow for greater speeds, evolving technologies continue to increase DSL speeds. Fiber System (fiber optic -based system). Fiber optic communications systems utilize lasers to transmit light signals through fiber optic cables. Fiber optic cabling provides superior performance because it can provide a much higher total bandwidth than coaxial or copper cables and, in most cases, is limited only by the performance of the equipment connecting to the fiber. Fiber is used for most transpacific connectivity. It is also used in almost all of the various types of telecommunications network systems operated in Hawaii to provide both the interisland and on -island (terrestrial) "backbone" infrastructure. In addition, all of the wireless carriers in Hawaii have the majority of towers and antennas connected byfiber systems for traffic "backhaul" and are in the process of upgrading a majority of these sites to fiber. Wireless Technologies Terrestrial Microwave System (terrestrial microwave radio -based system). Terrestrial microwave radio systems utilize high frequency radio waves to transmit broadband signals. Microwave tends to be used for trunk connections rather than end-user services. Because these radio waves only travel on a straight path, this system requires a direct line of sight between antenna sites to function properly. For economic reasons, certain providers and government agencies in Hawaii utilize, or have utilized, terrestrial microwave systems for interisland connections and to extend on -island broadband service to remote areas beyond the limits of their existing wireline infrastructure. The primary advantage to terrestrial microwave is that it may be less expensive to deploy than wireline trunk solutions such as fiber, cable or copper. However, microwave supports less bandwidth than fiber, may be difficult or expensive to maintain given that microwave antennas are often placed on mountaintops, and performance may degrade with certain weather conditions on the signal path. In addition, Hawaii's rugged, mountainous terrain severely limits the availability of the line of sight paths required.