6 Tips to Finding a Park with Great Wi-Fi
By Jeff Crider
One of the greatest frustrations for RV enthusiasts these days is the fact that the quality of Wi-Fi service is not consistent from park to park. Go to one RV Park or resort and it may work beautifully, while another may have a Wi-Fi signal that’s so weak or inconsistent that users get bumped off and have to login again and again.
Part of the problem is that the telephone and cable companies that provide Internet service do not have consistent capabilities across North America. These companies, which the Wi-Fi industry calls Internet Service Providers or ISPs, may offer fiber optic lines capable of delivering the strongest and fastest Wi-Fi service in some locations, but not others.
This is beyond the parks’ control and as a result, many parks in remote locations may still have to rely on dial up networks or even satellite-based Wi-Fi networks, which are much slower and cannot provide as much bandwidth as fiber optic systems.
Financial issues also come into play. Some parks may not yet be paying for all of the Wi-Fi bandwidth they really need. Many also have outdated Wi-Fi networks, which they need to update with newer equipment that can do a better job of transmitting Wi-Fi signals across their parks.
Most campgrounds, RV parks and results have struggled to keep up with the growing and seemingly insatiable Wi-Fi demands of their guests, most of whom now use mobile devices more than laptop computers. The trouble is, only 30 percent of private parks across the U.S. are mobile device friendly, yet 80 percent of consumers now use mobile devices as their primary way of accessing the Internet, according to industry statistics.
“Most parks are not keeping up with consumer demand for Wi-Fi service, and that’s leading to complaints,” said Eric Stumberg, CEO of Austin, Texas-based TengoInternet. In 2011, he said, only 20 percent of Wi-Fi users accessed the Internet with a mobile device, while 80 percent used desktop or laptop computers. Today, he said, the numbers have flipped. Eighty percent of Wi-Fi users are now using mobile devices, while 20 percent are using desktop or laptop computers.
This poses a challenge for private park operators, Stumberg said, because most Wi-Fi systems that were installed in private parks in recent years were not designed for a customer base of mostly mobile device users. Mobile devices transmit weaker Wi-Fi signals than laptop or desktop computers. So more transmitters are needed throughout a campground or RV park to maintain a stable Wi-Fi connection.
“Years ago,” Stumberg said, “campers were content if they could use a Wi-Fi connection to access their email. Today’s campers, however, are not only checking their email, but they’re using Wi-Fi to post photos through Instagram and Facebook. They’re watching movies and music videos on YouTube and NetFlix. They’re making video calls through Skype and Viber. They’re also playing video games, which require huge amounts of data.”
The number of electronic devices in use at each campsite has also increased to the point where each RV site could have four to eight Wi-Fi dependent devices in use. Private park operators are increasingly feeling the pressure to upgrade their Wi-Fi capabilities, but these upgrades are taking place at different levels across the U.S.
One thing is clear however, parks that upgrade have happier customers and they are increasing their customer base. Chuck Hays, co-owner of Far Horizons RV Resort in Tucson, AZ, recently upgraded the Wi-Fi service at his 500-plus site Far Horizons Park in Tucson to be mobile device friendly. He also doubled the amount of Internet bandwidth coming into his park. He’s glad he did. He said complaints from consumers about Wi-Fi service at his Tucson park have largely disappeared.
Mike Gurevich of Cherry Hill Park in College Park, MD has also found that by significantly upgrading his Wi-Fi system he’s been able to diversify his business base to include people on business in the Washington DC area. “We are really trying to give people what they want,” Gurevich said. “We’re not ahead of it, but we’re not so far behind. What we’re offering in terms of Wi-Fi service is pretty close to what people need.”
Many parks do not have the resources to upgrade their Wi-Fi systems quickly, while others are developing financial models to cover the cost of purchasing additional bandwidth from their ISP and investing in new Wi-Fi systems.
While many parks will continue to include basic Wi-Fi service with their overnight fees, Stumberg believes that more and more parks are likely to follow the example set forth in the hotel industry and charge their guests a separate fee if they need access to additional bandwidth to listen to music or watch movies online.
HOW CAN YOU FIND GOOD WI-FI?
There are no industry standards for Wi-Fi service, which can make it challenging to find parks that can satisfy your Wi-Fi needs. However, you can find out if a park’s Wi-Fi capabilities are right for you by asking their front desk staff some basic questions:
- Is your park’s Wi-Fi system mobile device friendly?
- Can I easily use Wi-Fi to send email or download photos or use Facebook at your park at any time of day or night?
- Can I make phone calls using your Wi-Fi system without being disconnected?
- Can I stream videos using your Wi-Fi system?
- Do you offer a higher level of Wi-Fi service for a separate fee?
- What is the difference between the basic Wi-Fi service you provide, and the service you offer for a fee?
Being satisfied with the parks Wi-Fi is often a function of managing your expectations. Follow these tips and you’ll know what you’ll get – before you get there.