Internet should be free

fernhill replied on 12/07/2021 18:55

fernhill

Posted on 12/07/2021 18:55

Because of its location I recently stayed at a Camping and Caravan Club site. It was exactly as their strap line states "Friendly" its also had free internet on unlimited devices and good quality.
I then moved to a CMH site which was considerably more expensive on top of which i had to purchase internet and it was only valid for one device, the contrast could not have been more stark. Many members were grumbling and commenting.
Yes overall CMH sites are of better and more consistent quality in terms of facilities and grounds etc but paying for internet today is like living in the dark ages.
Free internet is ubiquitous; hotels, airports, shopping centres restaurants, pubs. even McDonalds. ...nearly everywhere except CMH sites

94 replies

Tinwheeler replied on 15/07/2021 11:04

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 15/07/2021 10:51 by JVB66

But at the annual price, we find it very cheap compared to what , a mobile phone contract would cost and I have been using it on all the club sites we have and will be going to this year and have not ,as posted earlier found it any slower or have any more problems than seems normal on the clubs Web site, and can check on our emails and surf the net ,without any more problems than we get at home

Posted on 15/07/2021 11:04

Reckon your home broadband needs an overhaul, JV🙂

You've overlooked the fact that a mobile package can be used for calls and texts as well as Internet and can be used in places other than CAMC sites. Contract prices are tumbling all the time and I consider less than £2 p/w to be extremely good value for the year round use I get (almost) anywhere.

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SteveL replied on 15/07/2021 11:10

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SteveL

Motorhomer

Posted on 15/07/2021 10:51 by JVB66

But at the annual price, we find it very cheap compared to what , a mobile phone contract would cost and I have been using it on all the club sites we have and will be going to this year and have not ,as posted earlier found it any slower or have any more problems than seems normal on the clubs Web site, and can check on our emails and surf the net ,without any more problems than we get at home

Posted on 15/07/2021 11:10

A MiFi loaded with a 24 GB internet with legs sim might be worth considering. Currently £45 and data lasts 2 years once activated, unless of course you use it up. You would have to buy the MiFi if you haven’t got one but they are much cheaper than a smart phone. You can get an unlocked one for around £40.

Although I had 3 / 4 annual contracts. I’ve not bothered since the start of the pandemic, as with generally full sites and possibly the different demographic, it has been generally poor to not working using the free access.

replied on 15/07/2021 11:19

Posted on 15/07/2021 11:10 by SteveL

A MiFi loaded with a 24 GB internet with legs sim might be worth considering. Currently £45 and data lasts 2 years once activated, unless of course you use it up. You would have to buy the MiFi if you haven’t got one but they are much cheaper than a smart phone. You can get an unlocked one for around £40.

Although I had 3 / 4 annual contracts. I’ve not bothered since the start of the pandemic, as with generally full sites and possibly the different demographic, it has been generally poor to not working using the free access.

Posted on 15/07/2021 11:19

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Wherenext replied on 15/07/2021 16:04

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Wherenext

Campervanner

Posted on 15/07/2021 10:29 by mickysf

Free internet exists nowhere! The cost is factored, included and spread so those not using it are possibly paying for something they do not need. Now is that fair? Admittedly, that factor may be included as a loss leader but a cost non the less.

Posted on 15/07/2021 16:04

I'm sorry Micky but you are wrong.

i stayed on 2 CLs this year which had free wifi. Both owners admitted that they were worried about including it without a hike in rates but felt that it might be a selling point and one of them has actually negotiated a discount with their provider since starting to offer it. Both CLs were full for the extent of our stay. I didn't choose either due to the wifi offer but it meant we didn't have to eat into our own allowance so was grateful for it.

i do think that when people make sweeping statements that include the words "Everyone" or like yourself "exists nowhere" you are holding yourself hostage to fortune. There are likely to be exceptions somewhere

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DavidKlyne replied on 15/07/2021 20:57

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DavidKlyne

Motorhomer

Posted on 15/07/2021 16:04 by Wherenext

I'm sorry Micky but you are wrong.

i stayed on 2 CLs this year which had free wifi. Both owners admitted that they were worried about including it without a hike in rates but felt that it might be a selling point and one of them has actually negotiated a discount with their provider since starting to offer it. Both CLs were full for the extent of our stay. I didn't choose either due to the wifi offer but it meant we didn't have to eat into our own allowance so was grateful for it.

i do think that when people make sweeping statements that include the words "Everyone" or like yourself "exists nowhere" you are holding yourself hostage to fortune. There are likely to be exceptions somewhere

Posted on 15/07/2021 20:57

There is a world of difference between a CL with five potential users and site where it could be upwards to 300 users. The bandwidth used by a CL could probably be accounted for within most of our personal data plans but a site with between100 and 300 pitches can't. CL's are also likely to be away from good 4G signals which makes it more important for the CL to offer WiFi, be it free or charged.

Until we know what percentage of Club members make use of site WiFi it is difficult to judge whether it should be an included service or not. I am not sure CL's are a useful barometer, although I am pretty sure if a CL owner saw the cost of this data package go through the roof they would adjust their prices!!!

David

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mickysf replied on 15/07/2021 21:05

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mickysf

Motorhomer

Posted on 15/07/2021 16:04 by Wherenext

I'm sorry Micky but you are wrong.

i stayed on 2 CLs this year which had free wifi. Both owners admitted that they were worried about including it without a hike in rates but felt that it might be a selling point and one of them has actually negotiated a discount with their provider since starting to offer it. Both CLs were full for the extent of our stay. I didn't choose either due to the wifi offer but it meant we didn't have to eat into our own allowance so was grateful for it.

i do think that when people make sweeping statements that include the words "Everyone" or like yourself "exists nowhere" you are holding yourself hostage to fortune. There are likely to be exceptions somewhere

Posted on 15/07/2021 21:05

But if you read the final sentence of my post I do state that some use it as a loss leader. As I also said it is still factored in and still has to be payed for! With all due respect your post proves my point!

replied on 15/07/2021 21:22

Posted on 15/07/2021 21:05 by mickysf

But if you read the final sentence of my post I do state that some use it as a loss leader. As I also said it is still factored in and still has to be payed for! With all due respect your post proves my point!

Posted on 15/07/2021 21:22

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mickysf replied on 15/07/2021 21:26

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mickysf

Motorhomer

Posted on 15/07/2021 21:22 by

I dont know how common it is but I can say definitely there are sites where free powerful WiFi is installed and its introduction at a site I have used several times did not result in a price increase on pitch fees.

Posted on 15/07/2021 21:26

That I don’t dispute but it still comes at a cost and I’m absolutely sure that the site owners will have factored this provision and cost into their business equation, David just as WN explains.

Wherenext replied on 15/07/2021 22:53

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Wherenext

Campervanner

Posted on 15/07/2021 22:53

DK I was merely pointing out Micky that the word "nowhere" shouldn't be used in this context. He didn't qualify it and I'm merely showing that some places I have stayed at provided it. I understand there is a world of difference in size. It works both ways as economies of scale apply to the larger organisation but that wasn't the crux of my post.

And I don't hold with your view Micky. The prices were already set before the offer of free wifi. Sites that size can't afford loss leaders.

mickysf replied on 16/07/2021 05:08

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mickysf

Motorhomer

Posted on 15/07/2021 22:53 by Wherenext

DK I was merely pointing out Micky that the word "nowhere" shouldn't be used in this context. He didn't qualify it and I'm merely showing that some places I have stayed at provided it. I understand there is a world of difference in size. It works both ways as economies of scale apply to the larger organisation but that wasn't the crux of my post.

And I don't hold with your view Micky. The prices were already set before the offer of free wifi. Sites that size can't afford loss leaders.

Posted on 16/07/2021 05:08

WN I merely replied to the OP which clearly stated the fact that WiFi should be free. I merely pointed out the fact that because a site has decided not to pass the cost on to the end user this does not mean it is free. For example, go to your local library and use what purports to be ‘free’ WiFi there. It is not, it comes out of those taxes both you and I pay.
In those very early days of the internet some folk did call for free National access for all. I’m afraid this never happened in this country of ours, the ‘will’ was not there. In the same way the cost of water on site is not free. Sites owners do factor all costs and overheads into consideration when arriving at their end charges. This is how businesses work.

I’m one who did campaign in those early days for free National WiFi and for it to be made available to every community and person in our land. It just never was and dare I say, now never will be.

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