Pacific LightNet
Encyclopedia
Pacific LightNet is a locally-owned, facilities-based CLEC
, providing both voice and data services to its customers in Hawaii. At the core of its products and services is a 10,000 fiber mile submarine and terrestrial fiber optic network connecting the state’s six major islands, the only of its kind. Linked to all major submarine cable landing stations throughout Hawaii, the network provides capacity and services to the mainland and the Pacific Rim.
Pacific LightNet provides both local and long distance phone service, dial-up and broadband Internet access through wireless or DSL, VoIP, and collocation.
Hawaiian Tel (September 1996).
GST Hawaii operated as a subsidiary of GST Corporate through May 2000. On May 12, 2000, citing market conditions, massive debt and the inability to raise additional capital, GST Corporate filed for bankruptcy. In January 2001, Time Warner Telecom
purchased significantly all the assets of GST Corporate except for the Hawaiian operation and 12 fibers on parts of the Hawaii Inter-island Fiber Network (10,000 miles of submarine and terrestrial fiber linking the 6 major islands)
As one of the secured creditors, Tomen America (now owned by Toyota) looked to longtime associate John Warta and his NextNet Investments to turn around the struggling Hawaiian operation. Tomen provided the assets and NextNet provided the management expertise. On March 27, 2001, Tomen and NextNet took over operational control of GST Hawaii as Pacific LightNet, Inc (PLNI). As part of this transaction, PLNI also agreed to purchase Hawaii OnLine (HOL), at the time Hawaii’s largest ISP
, as part of the overall transaction. When the transaction was closed on October 11, 2001, Tomen and NextNet became the two joint owners of the company.
In 2004, PLNI started operating as Pacific LightNet Communications (PLNC) to confirm the fact that the company is in the communications business. PLNC has commercial operations on Kauai
, Maui
, Molokai
, Oahu
, Lanai
and the Big Island
. PLNC has customers ranging from the largest businesses in Hawaii to the smaller ones and includes the hospitality industry, the military, non-profits as well as the high-tech business park on Maui.
In mid-2005, Pacific LightNet Communications ceased using the word "Communications" in its branding. It now known simply as "Pacific LightNet".
In February 2008, Pacific LightNet filed an application with the state Public Utilities Commission for approval to transfer all of its holdings to SK Telecom Holdings LP.
Competitive local exchange carrier
A competitive local exchange carrier , in the United States, is a telecommunications provider company competing with other, already established carriers ....
, providing both voice and data services to its customers in Hawaii. At the core of its products and services is a 10,000 fiber mile submarine and terrestrial fiber optic network connecting the state’s six major islands, the only of its kind. Linked to all major submarine cable landing stations throughout Hawaii, the network provides capacity and services to the mainland and the Pacific Rim.
Pacific LightNet provides both local and long distance phone service, dial-up and broadband Internet access through wireless or DSL, VoIP, and collocation.
History
Pacific LightNet can trace its beginnings back to 1986, previously Tel-Net Hawaii and then GST Hawaii. GST Hawaii was the first company in the state to receive authority to provide local exchange service in competition with GTEVerizon Communications
Verizon Communications Inc. is a global broadband and telecommunications company and a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average...
Hawaiian Tel (September 1996).
GST Hawaii operated as a subsidiary of GST Corporate through May 2000. On May 12, 2000, citing market conditions, massive debt and the inability to raise additional capital, GST Corporate filed for bankruptcy. In January 2001, Time Warner Telecom
Time Warner Telecom
tw telecom is headquartered in Lone Tree, Colorado, United States.tw telecom provides business class managed voice, Internet and data network services, specializing in Ethernet and transport data networking, Internet access, local and long distance voice, VoIP and security, to enterprise...
purchased significantly all the assets of GST Corporate except for the Hawaiian operation and 12 fibers on parts of the Hawaii Inter-island Fiber Network (10,000 miles of submarine and terrestrial fiber linking the 6 major islands)
As one of the secured creditors, Tomen America (now owned by Toyota) looked to longtime associate John Warta and his NextNet Investments to turn around the struggling Hawaiian operation. Tomen provided the assets and NextNet provided the management expertise. On March 27, 2001, Tomen and NextNet took over operational control of GST Hawaii as Pacific LightNet, Inc (PLNI). As part of this transaction, PLNI also agreed to purchase Hawaii OnLine (HOL), at the time Hawaii’s largest ISP
Internet service provider
An Internet service provider is a company that provides access to the Internet. Access ISPs directly connect customers to the Internet using copper wires, wireless or fiber-optic connections. Hosting ISPs lease server space for smaller businesses and host other people servers...
, as part of the overall transaction. When the transaction was closed on October 11, 2001, Tomen and NextNet became the two joint owners of the company.
In 2004, PLNI started operating as Pacific LightNet Communications (PLNC) to confirm the fact that the company is in the communications business. PLNC has commercial operations on Kauai
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
, Maui
Maui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
, Molokai
Molokai
Molokai or Molokai is an island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is 38 by 10 miles in size with a land area of , making it the fifth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands and the 27th largest island in the United States. It lies east of Oahu across the 25-mile wide Kaiwi Channel and north of...
, Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
, Lanai
Lanai
Lānai or Lanai is the sixth-largest of the Hawaiian Islands. It is also known as the Pineapple Island because of its past as an island-wide pineapple plantation. The only town is Lānai City, a small settlement....
and the Big Island
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
. PLNC has customers ranging from the largest businesses in Hawaii to the smaller ones and includes the hospitality industry, the military, non-profits as well as the high-tech business park on Maui.
In mid-2005, Pacific LightNet Communications ceased using the word "Communications" in its branding. It now known simply as "Pacific LightNet".
In February 2008, Pacific LightNet filed an application with the state Public Utilities Commission for approval to transfer all of its holdings to SK Telecom Holdings LP.