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Review by n1418 
Posted: 3.3 years ago
member for 3.3 years, 6 visits, last login: 1.6 years ago
 Honolulu,Honolulu,HI
 $67 per month (12 month contract)
 about 20 days
 "Alternative to Cable/VOIP, Rock solid POTS service"
 "2.5 mbps down, argumentative tech support, shoddy hardware, noncompetitive pricing"
 "Go with Cable internet and VOIP"
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(ratings below consensus)
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I mistakenly posted the same review under "Hawaiian Internet".
I signed up for Hawaiian Telcom when they were still contracting DSL service through Verizon.
I had few problems with Verizon aside from convincing the tech support reps that the combo dsl modem/wireless router they sent me was very flaky. It only allowed one wireless connection at a time, and would consistently reject any other attempted connections. I finally had to insist they send me a non-wireless DSL modem with NO router built-in. So they sent me a modem/wireless router combo-- the exact same one I was having problems with. After a few months, it too started refusing to issue IP addresses, so once again I insisted that Verizon issue me a plain old DSL modem. I informed them I had my own router, and had absolutely no desire for any type of combo modem/routers they had. They assured me I would be receiving a regular DSL modem. I received a DSL modem with a built-in router several weeks later. At this point, I decided to ride out my one year contract and switch to cable. Oceanic offers 5mbps average down speeds for the same price as Hawaiian Telcom.
At some point in the Spring of 2006, Hawaiian Telcom formally acquired the DSL services from Verizon. I was hoping to receive better service. However, when I called in to cancel my DSL three days before my contract was up, I was given the runaround (expected), and finally landed with some lady who accused me of lying when I informed her of my bad experiences with the DSL. I informed her that I wanted to schedule my DSL termination date for one day after my one-year contract was up (effectively 4 days from when I called). She apparently went ahead and cancelled it that day instead, resulting in a $99 early-termination charge for cancelling 3 days early!
That was in June. It is now the beginning of August and I still have yet to be refunded my $99. That doesn't stop Hawaiian Telcom from sending me bills, however, and no matter how many times I call in to rectify this problem, I'm told that I will be issued a credit "soon".
These guys talk about bringing back homegrown Hawaiian service, along the lines of "sticking it" to the big Telco’s. In essence, they are simply changing the monopoly over to Hawaii. Customer Service is nonexistent at this company, and honestly, the DSL speeds really aren't justified by the price.
I have since switched to 808NetFone for home phone service and Oceanic Time Warner for internet. Not only do I pay less each month, but I have dozens more features, free long distance, and a down pipe of a consistent 4mbps minimum, peaking up to 5.5.
Save your money and let these guys remember what happens to companies without customers before ordering their service.
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