Announcement WiFi on Club Sites
Hi All - Just seen the announcement from the Club regarding the new BT powered WiFi on Club sites. I can't help thinking that this is stabledoor/horse has bolted - the internet is free and ubiquitous in most places. This will provide free email access and social media posts but you will have to pay if you want streaming services (which a lot of us do now). I have installed my own WiFi in the van from necessity when I was working and have advised a few others on how to do the same.(not the expensive Avtex solution) This works fine in most places and there are no restrictions on what you can do/stream/read etc. Just wondered how many of you will be subscribing to the Club's solution or will you rely on your own van router etc?
Comments
-
It does say there will now be 'free' wifi while the upgrade goes ahead and those that have already bought passes will be contacted.
0 -
Own router etc which we specifically had installed when we bought this van a couple of years back. We don’t spend much time on Club sites and it has always been very hit and miss. Just not worth the payment. The payment part isn’t a surprise to me, I’ve come across other commercial sites where there is some free and some paid access, sometimes based on length of use. I would advise especially those who do much streaming, and/or use a variety of sites to provide their own solutions.
2 -
This is the link https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/uk-holidays/useful-information/club-wi-fi/
Perhaps I am being a bit churlish but the provision of "Hotspots" seems to be going back to the dark ages? I appreciate that hotspots should only be of a temporary nature but the thought of taking a laptop/tablet to the reception area I think I will stick to my data allowance on my phone. I wonder if there will be any sitting provision near the hotspot? I appreciate the idea that basic services will be free which will be handy on those sites with a poor 4G signal and it will be interesting to know how they will control that and how much data you will be allowed?
The weird thought struck me that the CMC seems to be aligning themselves more and more with how the C&CC operates!
David
5 -
Air Angel didn't have many fans amongst the membership so it might be a good thing that the club have changed providers.
My only caveat is that BT provide our service at home and in certain areas of the house I can't receive a signal so use EE or Smarty Hotspots. Extremely unlikely to purchase wi-fi on site.
Be good to know details of upgrades, such as when individual sites are ear marked for upgrading.
0 -
Not got any sites booked as yet but I would most definitely continue to use my own system until Stage 2 is completed and available. After that it would depend on cost and how much better the service was for streaming compared to my own.
peedee
1 -
It has to be a good move. Things can only get better 👍🏻
3 -
I think you've misread. The hotspots are purely a temporary measure until BT go around each site and install their own equipment. That's obviously going to take a while. Surely that free temporary hotspot is better than nothing? When BT have taken over fully, there will be site wide free wifi to a limited bandwidth.
JK
3 -
DavidKlyne said:
The weird thought struck me that the CMC seems to be aligning themselves more and more with how the C&CC operates!
That can only be a good thing.
4 -
That will only be a good thing if they also align on price.
It also sounds like the refund for unused paid for wifi contracts will be via a club site voucher and not a cash refund as I would expect for failure to supply a contracted service. I can feel my 25 year loyalty to the club coming to an end.
0 -
When BT have taken over fully, there will be site wide free wifi to a limited bandwidth.
If the way things have gone on recently there will be an addition rise in site fees when the full system is up and running to cover the cost, ie a "hidden" cost. Then everyone using the site will have to cough up regardless of whether they use the system of not.
1 -
No I didn't mis-read it JK, I note that it's an 8 month project and I also read the other details about it not being guaranteed etc.
I'm glad CAMC are finally catching up with other site providers where it's been included from day one.
0 -
As far as I know the Club have never published any figures on the uptake of site WiFi. We seemed to have got plenty of complaints about the old system so clearly people do use it but that is not a particular good way of judging take up! One has to assume that if the Club are investing so much money in a new system then it must be more widely used than perhaps some of us realised? It's clearly going to be a two tier system when it's all up and running. I suppose it will be another thing, along with dogs and awnings, that the Club can claim are free, or at least included in the site fees?
David
0 -
Temporary hotspots yes ....but why? Can you imagine up-grading a workplace/business WiFi system where, as part of the contract the client agreed to turning off all of the existing provision apart from one hotspot for weeks whilst the new system is installed. Someone would be looking for a new job methinks! 😂
1 -
For myself I don't use the CAMC offerings except occasionally the present "free" access to the club website. When the new system is up and running I'll no doubt use the free access but will continue, like many others, with my own arrangements.
I do however use the offerings with the C&CC as it's uncomplicated and usually works!
1 -
I tend to agree and also use my phone. However as I mentioned a few posts up we do have to assume that there is a demand for WiFi on Club sites otherwise the Club would not be investing large sums of money to upgrade the system?
David
0 -
Now got my wi-fi refund voucher, which can be used towards a stay at any of the club sites. It says simply present it to the site staff upon arrival at reception and they will do the rest.
However, with the new booking system, balance of payment due is now taken automatically on day of arrival, and there seems no way to change this.
So how do I spend it?
0 -
Think I've found the answer to my own question! From booking terms and conditions:
The Club issues various discount vouchers such as Digital Vouchers. These can be used to offset the price either on arrival at a Club campsite or they can be used to make a booking however this can only be done by contacting and booking via our contact centre or directly with site staff. Where these are processed upon arrival at the campsite and you have already paid, then you will receive a full or part refund equivalent to the value of the voucher.
Will find out if that works in a few weeks time!
0 -
When you get to the payment screen during the booking process you have to untick the autopay box, this will then enabled you to pay any balance at arrival using any vouchers etc.
JK
1 -
Regarding the wifi hotspots. On my site we've always had just a hotspot outside reception. On a good day there was a useable speed of 9mbs with 45% coverage. The new BT hotspot which is only mounted halfway up the mast (to be moved next week) is producing 36mbs and reaches 75% of an 11 acre site.
JK
0 -
We have had EE 4g home router for 4 years now and have only not got enough speed for TV three times...... Every time at Clumber Park. Until full WiFi for streaming is available again we won't be going back. We relied on VOIP for phone calls as there is zero 3g, 4g or even 2g at this location.
We had paid for WiFi just for Clumber but our fee has been refunded. Why the club couldn't have kept the old one running until full service from BT arrives is beyond me.
I suspect the same 'Grown Ups' at head office also run the website and mobile App booking systems! The club is not what it was!
1 -
Using the Free Wifi at Treamble. It's limited to 1mbps but adequate for general browsing and emails.
What I can't find is how to log out.
When you log in there is a fleeting message with a link - https:\\217. ...something.
It goes so quickly I can't read what it says.
There is also reference to a small pop up page which doesn't seem to appear.
Googling CAMC logout brings up a page that refers to logout.net which the old system used to use and doesn't work on the new one.
Can someone with a faster brain than mine get the 217 link referred to above.
0 -
I have managed to get the logout URL which is : http\\217.39.0.92\logout.html.
Whether this is a universal logout for all sites or just here at Treamble I cannot say. Maybe someone on another site can give it a go.
However, its not very user friendly.
On submitting the URL I get a message which says "Login Successful" with a Logout box to click.
But actually I have been logged out because if I click the logout box I get "This site cannot be reached" which is what you get when you have no wifi connection.
0 -
Having arrived at Meathop Fell CAMC site (Sept 2023) I had the opportunity to use the club’s FREE wi-if for the first time and was horrified to find I had the luxury of FREE wi-if for 1 hour!!
On the first line of my reply I dated Sept 2023 because I could not believe in 2023 any club that accepts membership fee’s advertise FREE wi-if but limit it to 1 hour ….. CAMC should be ashamed of themselves, this is disgraceful and a total insult to its members.
For comparison, McDonalds restaurants have provided free wi-if since 2004 and Starbucks since 2010 so free wi-fi is not a luxury it should be a given especially to its members.
CAMC management need to visit private operated sites to see how they treat paying customers and compare what is offered compared to the CAMC offer …… this FREE wi-if is another slap in the face to fee paying members and having the opportunity to pay for longer is another insult in 2023.
CAMC - you should be ashamed… this is no way to run a “club”.
1 -
It is only limited to an hour in that you are logged out after that time. You can log back in as many times as you like. It seems fairly sensible to me as it stops the system getting cluttered with unused logins which may still use bandwidth for housekeeping purposes.
The premium (paid for) service does not log out after an hour and provides significantly more bandwidth. Enough to allow steaming if required. My only complaint is the price, which seems somewhat high for a members club. Although not significantly different to some private sites. They are certainly not all “free”.
0
