Mobile Tech and WiFi Survey For RV’ers

Richard Charpentier Notes from Rich 6 Comments

I tried doing a survey a few months ago.  Folks didn’t like the survey app, and didn’t like the fact that it tied to Facebook.  So, after a good bit of searching I found a polling plugin that I’m satisfied with for the blog.

I’ve decided to conduct a few very simple surveys today directed at RV owners and travelers regarding mobile technology and wireless access in parks.  WiFi coverage is a hot topic among RV’ers and Park owners.  So I thought I’d get a little feedback here on the blog.  Every RV’er I’ve talked to about in park WiFi wants better coverage, faster speeds, etc.  And everyone I’ve asked has said they’d be willing to pay more per night to have the coverage.  I’ve made 2 simple surveys below.

The first poll question is pretty simple.  What mobile technology are you traveling with?  You can pick more than one option on the poll.  The second question is also pretty simple.  What is good in park WiFi worth to you?  If a park added really great WiFi would you pay a few dollars extra per night?  It would never be put that way to guests.  Park owners can simply up their price and offer you “Free WiFi” so you’d still feel good about it being free (an economics and marketing trick).  🙂

I’m looking forward to the answers to this poll!

[yop_poll id=”2″] [yop_poll id=”3″]

 

Comments 6

  1. Rich for the question about price. Hotels used to charge for internet access. That died out 10 years ago. Most parks do not have the infrastructure for meaningful high speed wireless. And services like Tengo are generally crappy, very slow, as you probably know. The parks get it for free, or a low cost, and something that is cheap, well you usually get what you pay for.

    An additional question to add would be how do folks get their internet on the road. Millenicom seems to be very popular and the price is right. At $ 2.50 per day with a reasonable connection a MiFI puck beats just about any wireless I have ever gotten at any RV park.

  2. Post
    Author

    Gary,

    Morning! You’re correct, many parks don’t yet have the infrastructure for good high speed WiFi. Either the park’s own infrastructure, or their local broadband provider. It’s tricky to say the least, and the systems aren’t cheap to install. But for parks that have access to good broadband, the cost of installation could be paid by a raise in rates.

    A favorite park of mine runs $28 per night. I would happily pay $30 per night if it meant great WiFi. In speaking with others at the park, 100% agreement, a small hike in rates for WiFi would be fine.

    I use my IPhone 5S in tethered mode. I’m one of the few folks who had unlimited data on their IPhone, so problem solved for me. And yes, Millenicom and their offering rocks! I almost went with them.

  3. I prefer to “BYOMifi”…more reliable, more secure, more dependable. I have had very good luck with the Millenicom plan so far. I have never reached the 20GB limit, so no need to use the campground wifi.

  4. What do you mean by “mobilize” a website? Sorry if it’s a stump stupid question, but I haven’t seen mobile “verbed” like that.

  5. Post
    Author

    Suzanne, I travel with a portable hotspot as well. So I’m with you there. But many RV’ers still don’t have one with them due to cost, etc. Millenicom is a great solution.

    Allison, a “mobilized” website is a site that displays well on Smartphones, Tablets, and computer screens. If a site isn’t mobile ready it looks terrible on Tablets and Smartphones (unreadable). I have a video demonstration over at my business site. Click here to check the whole explanation and watch the video.

  6. For several years, on our travels, we have used a smartphone with mobile hotspot using Verizon. A lot of times, we camp where there is no wifi or poor wifi and the Verizon signal is marginal. We’ve learned to do without for a few days and get caught up when we get back to decent reception. There have been times, though, when we’ve taken a drive to find reception. I still remember people in the lobby area of Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone in 2010 commenting, “I didn’t think they had wireless.” To which I responded, “They don’t. We brought our own.” holding up my smart phone. They had decent cell service at Old Faithful, but it was spotty at Canyon Village and Mammoth Hot Springs. We were camped at Fishing Bridge and there was no reception.

Leave a Reply