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valhalla360's avatar
valhalla360
Navigator
Aug 27, 2022

Campground WiFi Improving?

I've always been in the camp, that it's nice if you can get some use out of campground wifi but it's usually garbage and you are better using your phone for a hotspot.

11 stops and 2 months into a run from Michigan to Montana. Except for 3 campgrounds (state & national parks) that don't offer wifi at all, we've been able to stream TV, work and do wifi calling, etc...no issues at all.

Anyone else seeing improvements in wifi? Are campgrounds starting to catch up with demand?
  • Doesn’t improvement often depend on the campground’s supplier? If the cable company can’t, won’t or doesn’t offer more bandwidth the campground is stuck.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    I have seen it go both ways.. More and more of the nation is getting better and better internet and from what I'm reading elsewhere the speed of improvement may soon increase (or not but that is a topic for elsewhere) So many parks have gong from Really crappy Wi-Fi to just plain Bad Wi-Fi Some from Slower to greased lightening. Some from Greased lightening to slower. (Yup At least one)

    One campground I frequent now has a two tear.. Crappy is free. Just bad is fee.

    Used to be they had good at least in the family center.
  • I would agree CG WiFi has seemingly improved.
    Equipment has improved. Many now rely on their own hotspots.
    Expectations have come in line with resources. Campers have slowly learned you cannot stream movies like you are at home.
    CG's have added antennas and equipment to spresed the signal around.
    Net result a better wifi experience for all.
  • All the campgrounds we've used recently have had good wifi. We don't stream, so can't say about that, but it has worked well for FB and general surfing. Much better that some years back.
  • Yes has improved some. In general I think WiFi equipment has improved also.
  • I have always used my AT&T Mobley WiFi access device in both truck and trailer with a plug in adapter. Good result most of the time for $23.00 a month. I gave up on campground WiFi long time ago. Cheers
  • We check campground Wi-Fi sometimes and some are ok. More ? Maybe but I suspect it’s because most wised up and bring their own leaving more room on the campground Wi-Fi . I don’t ever use it other than a quick check , not as secure. Almost all the campgrounds have limits in the check in material on streaming. At least the many we visited this summer. At least that’s our experience ( which is what you asked )
    .
  • monkey44 wrote:
    You kinda answered your own question ... maybe. Basically, everyone that uses WIFI depends on a hotspot or some variation of it. That's not gonna change because folks want it dependable, and as the cost goes down or hotspots are included in phone plans, folks will simply use their own.

    CG's see no reason to spend the money if would take to provide it, if everyone already has it. Most will advertise they have it anyway, even if it's barely usable.


    You are basically regurgitating the traditional answer. I was asking if other people are seeing similar improvements.

    The traditional answer for years has been that it's garbage but have we just gotten really lucky over so many campgrounds/days or are other people seeing an improvement during their travels.
  • You kinda answered your own question ... maybe. Basically, everyone that uses WIFI depends on a hotspot or some variation of it. That's not gonna change because folks want it dependable, and as the cost goes down or hotspots are included in phone plans, folks will simply use their own.

    CG's see no reason to spend the money if would take to provide it, if everyone already has it. Most will advertise they have it anyway, even if it's barely usable.

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