Fiber-Optics Key to Digital Resilience

Residents of condominiums and other multi-dwelling units are like everyone else. They want better, faster and less expensive service without compromising quality. There is no debate that is what we all demand today.

When it comes to internet service, we all have another requirement: reliability. Since our lives have become increasingly dependent on being digitally connected to our family, friends, co-workers and customers, a dependable internet service has become non-negotiable. We cannot carry out our usual routines without it. We need it to make our lives easier and to be more productive.

Dependable Internet Access

Tenants love when things work as they’re supposed to work. They want their lights to turn on when they hit the switch. They want fresh water when they turn on their faucets. And they want access to their files in the cloud and to participate in virtual meetings when they turn on their devices. Internet access has become an essential service.

But when these basic services don’t work because of severe weather events such as tropical storms or other incidents beyond anyone’s control, property managers and residents managers can expect to encounter impatient tenants, demanding to know when things will be restored back to normal.

Digital Resilience in Extreme Weather

No one has the perfect magic wand to keep the weather in check, but we are getting better at preparing for extreme weather conditions. This year, our islands have been battered by tropical storms coming from different directions, and this has served as a vivid call for property managers to be better prepared. Some say our recent weather is a foretaste of what to expect in the future. It’s a new climate reality and we must be prepared for the future.

Fortunately, our state has solutions that are already being implemented. The deployment of fiber to the premises is now underway to make those living in condominiums and new community developments with multi-dwelling units more digitally resilient.

Replacement Technology: Fiber Optics

Traditional copper wire cables, whose lifecycle is rapidly coming to a close after nearly 150 years in our islands, is being replaced by fiber optic cables. The copper wire and cable infrastructure has been in use in Hawai‘i for our state’s first local phone lines were installed in the late 1870s. Unlike copper cables, fiber does not use electricity. Copper wire also uses electrical pulses that require boosters along the way, requiring even more energy. Change is long overdue.

With fiber-optics, data is transmitted through glass, hair-like strands by light signals instead of electricity. This makes data transmission faster, more reliable, and much more energy efficient.

Some studies have shown that fiber networks can consume up to 70 percent less energy per gigabit of data transmitted compared to traditional copper or cable networks. In times of emergencies, this makes it less taxing on the electrical grid and frees up electrical power for other uses to maintain stability in what is often a chaotic time.

Building owners and property managers should strive to do everything within their control to maintain digital resilience for their tenants. Having fiber to the premises must be a priority for multi-dwelling units to establish the foundational infrastructure for digital resiliency. Coupled with energy back-up systems like generators, tenants can continue their routines without interruption as long as there is back-up power and until full power is restored.

Planning for Technology Integration

As technology becomes increasingly integrated into building operations, property managers and association boards must prepare for growing connectivity demands. From advanced security systems and electric vehicle charging stations to real-time energy monitoring and leak detection sensors, reliable network infrastructure is becoming essential to modern property management. Fiber connectivity directly to individual units in multi-dwelling communities will play a critical role in supporting these technologies.

Fiber should be a key component of any property's digital resiliency strategy. It delivers immediate benefits while providing the bandwidth and reliability needed to support future technology advancements. With an estimated lifespan of 25 years or more, fiber reduces the need for frequent upgrades, helping minimize costs, disruptions, and material waste over time.

By investing in fiber today, property managers and association boards can position their communities for long-term success, strengthen property value, and create a more connected living experience for residents.

Ready to future-proof your property? Contact Hawaiian Telcom to learn how fiber infrastructure can help support your property's technology goals, enhance digital resiliency, and prepare your community for the future.