Governor Signs Bill Relating to Broadband

Governor Neil Abercrombie this afternoon signed House Bill 1342.  The bill, now Act 151, expedites the permitting process for broadband infrastructure.  With this measure, broadband providers are exempt from state and county permitting requirements for installation, construction

and development of broadband infrastructure for a 5-year period.   Reducing the time needed for permitting approvals is a key step towards increased investment in broadband technology and services in Hawaii.

“Speeding up the deployment of high-speed broadband throughout the state will enable new opportunities for telehealth, and give Hawaii’s digital businesses an edge in competing for new work,” said Senator Carol Fukunaga, chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Technology.

The law goes into effect on July 1, 2011.