Cable Solutions Provider Selected for Hawaiian Islands Fiber Link Project

20 August 2025

Ocean Networks, Inc., a leading telecom development and service company, announced significant milestones in selecting global cable solutions provider Prysmian and submarine cable engineering and installation specialist International Telecom Inc. (IT) for the Hawaiian Islands Fiber Link (HIFL) project. This collaboration marks significant progress in the development of Hawaiʻi’s open-access, carrier-neutral inter-island fiber infrastructure, designed to dramatically improve and expand high-speed broadband internet throughout the state.

The HIFL project, a key component of the State of Hawaiʻi’s “Connect Kākou” broadband initiative, aims to deliver robust and resilient digital connectivity across the Hawaiian Islands. Under the agreement, Prysmian will supply approximately 740 kilometers of state-of-the-art submarine cable, while IT will provide essential engineering and installation services for the HIFL system.

“We are thrilled to be working with industry leaders like Prysmian and International Telecom, whose expertise is crucial to achieving our goal of enhancing high-speed broadband access across Hawaiʻi,” said David Blau, Chief Operating Officer of Ocean Networks. “Securing these contracts represents a major step forward in the construction timeline for the HIFL project, bringing us closer to fulfilling the promise of improved connectivity for all of Hawaiʻi’s residents, businesses, education, and government entities.”

Davide Taddei, Submarine Telecom Business Director at Prysmian, commented, “Prysmian is proud to have been selected by Ocean Networks and to contribute to such a vital infrastructure project that will bring affordable, high-speed internet and connectivity to all residents. In today’s interconnected world, ensuring secure and resilient digital infrastructure is critical. Our solutions are designed not only for performance and durability but also to support enhanced digital security and data integrity for the communities they serve. The HIFL project is a key step in delivering robust infrastructure in the Pacific and builds on Prysmian’s strong track record in challenging submarine environments worldwide.”

Steve Arsenault, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at IT, added, “IT takes great pride in our long history of successful project delivery within the Hawaiian Islands. Bringing this experience to bear on behalf of Ocean Networks for the HIFL project is an honor. We are pleased to contribute once again to the important work of strengthening Hawaiʻi’s inter-island telecommunications infrastructure.”

Ocean Networks is responsible for the overall supply, construction, operations, and maintenance of the HIFL system, reinforcing its commitment to creating an advanced and equitable digital landscape for the state of Hawaiʻi.