We don't typically report on Verizon launching EV-DO in some random market here or AT&T launching HSDPA in some other random market over there, but we figured this was a story worth picking up on. AT&T has
now launched its 3G network services on the beautiful island of Oahu, striking down just one more reason why any human being might consider not living (or visiting) there. Then again, it could be argued that tropical islands should have as little connectivity as possible, so this may end up being more of a curse than a blessing after all. Bottom line: we might recommend "forgetting" your
GT Max at home if you're trying to relax, k?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Big Sam @ Nov 12th 2007 5:40PM
Just don't tell my boss...
Victor @ Nov 12th 2007 6:13PM
The big news is of course the NTT involvement in getting this done for DoCoMo roaming coverage; as well as the state-wide (all island) coverage of HSDPA sometime in 2008 (again with NTT Help).
Jamar @ Nov 13th 2007 9:18AM
No one can tell- it's not big news. Big news would be DoCoMo buying out AT&T and giving America the hot phones and stuff they give Japan. Because if I'm going to suffer a locked phone, it better be a damn good phone (I'm rather partial to the SO905iCS myself- now that's a respectable cameraphone).
Jennifer @ Nov 12th 2007 8:38PM
I think the fact that it costs way too much money and too much time to just go to the next state over is a big reason to not live there. Sorry, Hawaii. Nice place to visit, but not a practical place to live.
eGuepard @ Nov 12th 2007 8:52PM
Hawaii, a Great Place:
1. If you like taxes!
2. Education there is also great; 40% of the students in secondary (High) school couldn't pass a GED test to get a Diploma!
3. For every $1.00 (.71 Euros) earned on the mainland you need $1.60 (1.14 Euros) in Hawaii to have the same standard of living.
4. One postive, is the ocean veiw is cheaper in Hawaii!
Airhab @ Nov 12th 2007 10:51PM
Buzz Killer!!!
SadHawaiian @ Nov 13th 2007 3:20AM
Moved to honolulu from the mainland some months ago..I love the people and the safety of the community, but there is not enough industry out here to support the crazy cost of living I make around 50+ annually and thats hardly enough to have a nice place and eat regularly. Sadly ill probably move back stateside for a while until I can save up for a home on this island.If you are established and are looking for a very mellow and safe environment to raise a child this is the place, jus keep'em off tha Ice Brah... Oh and about Cingular..I guess all those iphone users will finally be able to experience that blazing speed..oh thats right you forgot to add that feature to you touted most popular phone..oh well..3g speeds have yet to excite me. What happened to the promise of 2.4MB downlink..?
offdutyninja001 @ Nov 13th 2007 7:01AM
Let's be fair about some of the numbers here...
1. Yes, PER CAPITA, state tax in Hawaii is higher than the rest of the nation. However part of the reason for that is services such as education, health care and social services are rendered at the state level, as opposed to the municipal level in other states.
2. While Hawaii PUBLIC school students to score below average in all area's of standardized testing, a fact that's left out of those numbers is the HIGH percentage of non-English speaking students are a part of the public education system, and that Hawaii actually tests and reports ALL scores under the No Child left behind act, where most other states leave out reporting, or don't even test in some cases, non-English speaking students. HOWEVER, ACT scores of public school students in Hawaii are actually HIGHER than the national average. Also, Hawaii has a higher number of students who are educated in independent institutions of secondary education, than any other state in the US. These independent institutions enjoy a 95% or higher rate of success in college admissions among their students. (Lest we forget, the founder of AOL attended school in Hawaii).
3. I don't how accurate the amount needed to live in Hawaii vs. the states is, considering there are areas of California alone (i.e. Orange county, Newport Beach, Irvine, Santa Barbra, San Francisco), where the cost of living is higher than Hawaii, for the same standard of living. I think those numbers need to be more accurately represented.
Having been born and raised in Hawaii, and traveling the world as an adult, I can tell you that your experience in Hawaii is what you make it. I was educated in the public school system, and went on to an excellent college (University of Michigan - GO BLUE!), and have traveled the world, while earning a healthy 6 figure salary. Sure, earning more makes living in Hawaii easier, but there was a time I didn't earn 6 figures, and wouldn't have lived anywhere else in the world.
To each their own I suppose. While you may not agree with the cost of living or education in Hawaii, it's still a place about a million of us call home.
As for the distance between states...I personally like the fact that there's thousands of miles of ocean that separate us from the rest of the world...it's part of what makes Hawaii...well, Hawaii.
TomTheGeek @ Nov 13th 2007 5:25PM
So a remote island in the middle of the ocean has 3G but they can't bring it to Madison Wisconsin? WTF.