Olelo and PBS Hawaii to benefit from Telcom cable TV OK

Hawaiian Telcom Services Co. Inc. was granted a nonexclusive cable franchise by the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs on June 24. The franchise order allowing the company to provide cable television services to consumers on Oahu included provisions for continued funding to the nonprofits Olelo Community Media and Hawaii Public Television Foundation — PBS Hawaii.

In exchange for the right to provide a cable service, the 15-year franchise requires Hawaiian Telcom to use digital technology to supply a range of programming content and services to consumers, according to the DCCA, which is now led by Kealii Lopez, former CEO of Olelo. Hawaiian Telcom also will supply a predetermined number of free interconnections to the state’s INET for educational or government use.

Initially, Hawaiian Telcom’s cable service may not be available in all geographical areas, but the company expects to roll out the service to more customers as it upgrades its network. A timetable for launching the cable service was not immediately available. Hawaiian Telcom must submit plans for technology upgrades to the DCCA every five years for approval.

Honolulu-based Hawaiian Telcom already provides data, voice, Internet and wireless services. The company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2010.