MDL Free WIFI - bloody hell it's slow!!!

[grumpy_o_g]

This is what I am getting at Kemps Quay picking up the MDL Shamrock Quay signal

Why do WiFi channels have the same strange attraction towards each other that boats do on an empty sea? There's only one other network with a half decent signal and it's slap bang on top of the MDL channel. Either MDL or HPCP1525-2ca74f or both should shift up or down a channel or two.

 

[Floating Preferably]

Yes, it is frustratng Gary, but I wonder just how many users are on line at a time in marinas like Haslar or Shamrock, there could be dozens?. Already mentioned is the type of use which will dramatically affect it. We get used to having rapid access in our home and businesses, but for the moment are we being over optimistic, or are some people being selfish by downloading vast amounts of data, clogging up everybody elses download availability? I carry a dongle and just accept whatever it gives me for now. Thre was a time when once at the boat, WE HAD ESCAPED! Alas no more!
Hang in there Gary, and if t doesn't improve, open another beer!

 

[oGaryo]

Hang in there Gary, and if t doesn't improve, open another beer!

ah, there lies the problem, I don't drink beer, never have and never will

 

[Bazzer]

I was in Lymington (Berthon) and completely re-synced my music collection their wifi, worked perfectly.

 

[volvopaul]

Swanwick now have free wifi to Berth holders, it's that slow my 3 g is better, no chance of watching anything on YouTube it just buffers. When I read the terms it's more about selling a better service that supports more than one device it also does not allow you to use your device as a hotspot to your other devices, clever marketing.

 

[superheat6k]

Swanwick now have free wifi to Berth holders, it's that slow my 3 g is better, no chance of watching anything on YouTube it just buffers. When I read the terms it's more about selling a better service that supports more than one device it also does not allow you to use your device as a hotspot to your other devices, clever marketing.

I was clocking the Premier Wifi yesterday with the Alfa kit, so you would in theory pick up the Foulkes sites from Premier the other way, and no issues with the speed. I'm not a techno geek but I reckon the more powerful signal grabs more data usage - like a fat bloke at the bar.

Now how can we set up a Mobo forumites WIFI password sharing area ?

 

[lisilou]

At Swanwick right now trying to connect thru their all new, all singing, all dancing, 'free' wifi. Pah!! Absolute rubbish! So unbelievably slow, it won't even load this page so I'm having to tether. What a pile of poo. As for free???...yeh ok...for 4 hours then subscribe for more usage! Quite simply not fit for purpose! Service?...What service?!
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Grrr

 

[BrendanS]

At Swanwick right now trying to connect thru their all new, all singing, all dancing, 'free' wifi. Pah!! Absolute rubbish! So unbelievably slow, it won't even load this page so I'm having to tether. What a pile of poo. As for free???...yeh ok...for 4 hours then subscribe for more usage! Quite simply not fit for purpose! Service?...What service?!
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Grrr

Try providing a free wifi service at a marina location, if you are the person responsible for setting up the infrastructure. It's difficult, and costs buckets, to do it so everyone has good fast access. Marina wifi is going to always be a bit flaky and slow, unless they happen to be sitting on a big fat pipe, and can position access points economically around the marina. Until then, use 3 or 4G access if you have it.

 

[deuc02]

Try providing a free wifi service at a marina location, if you are the person responsible for setting up the infrastructure. It's difficult, and costs buckets, to do it so everyone has good fast access. Marina wifi is going to always be a bit flaky and slow, unless they happen to be sitting on a big fat pipe, and can position access points economically around the marina. Until then, use 3 or 4G access if you have it.

Nick managed to get it right at Berthon

 

[lisilou]

Update...tried again this morning and yaaay!!. Right now (9am ish), I'm getting full bars and it seems to be quite quick so I don't know what the issue was last night, it can't have been 'user busy' at nearly 1am I wouldn't have thought. Anyway, so far so good. If it stays that way then I'll be a happy bunny (for the 4 free hours anyway).
Brendan, I think it's reasonable to expect if a service is offered, it should be up to the job and at least fit for purpose and at consistently good speeds regardless of traffic. If that can't be achieved then there's no point offering it as a service imo. I also feel it should be free and unlimited 24/7.
Anyway, right now at least, it's doing it's job.
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[superheat6k]

Try providing a free wifi service at a marina location, if you are the person responsible for setting up the infrastructure. It's difficult, and costs buckets, to do it so everyone has good fast access. Marina wifi is going to always be a bit flaky and slow, unless they happen to be sitting on a big fat pipe, and can position access points economically around the marina. Until then, use 3 or 4G access if you have it.

And Marina berthing fees don't cost buckets then ??? Foulkes charge only half a bucket and their Wifi is completely free, unlimited and powerful.

 

[lisilou]

Further update: An hour on and....back to rubbish . How Premier can even think of charging for extended use of this non service is beyond me.
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[thejonesey]

And Marina berthing fees don't cost buckets then ??? Foulkes charge only half a bucket and their Wifi is completely free, unlimited and powerful.

Don't tell everyone Trevor!

 

[volvopaul]

At Swanwick right now trying to connect thru their all new, all singing, all dancing, 'free' wifi. Pah!! Absolute rubbish! So unbelievably slow, it won't even load this page so I'm having to tether. What a pile of poo. As for free???...yeh ok...for 4 hours then subscribe for more usage! Quite simply not fit for purpose! Service?...What service?!
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Grrr

Cor blimey Lisa sounds like your ready to blow a gasket!! Just get a phone with unlimited useage on the company of course. 3 is unlimited on my contract and works really well in swanwick.

 

[volvopaul]

Further update: An hour on and....back to rubbish . How Premier can even think of charging for extended use of this non service is beyond me.
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You would not believe some of the things I've had to sort out recently there. I've refrained form making it public as I don't want to upset them as I have to work in there.

 

[lisilou]

Spoke to Mark this morning Paul and told him it's just not workable for us at least. He was surprised as most say it's working well for them. I'm now thinking it's an 'E' pontoon issue as others near us have had the same issue whereas friends on 'D' have no problems at all since the upgrade.
We're surrounded by quite a few big boats here so maybe that interfere's with our reception. Dunno but it's mostly a non starter for us .
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[Jurgen]

Try providing a free wifi service at a marina location, if you are the person responsible for setting up the infrastructure. It's difficult, and costs buckets, to do it so everyone has good fast access. Marina wifi is going to always be a bit flaky and slow, unless they happen to be sitting on a big fat pipe, and can position access points economically around the marina. Until then, use 3 or 4G access if you have it.

Not sure what Swanick berthing fees are but MDL Port Hamble want £8500 for a 37 foot boat.

On that basis providing a decent wifi service is not unreasonable. FWIW MDL at most locations are pretty good, the exception seems to be at the extremities of the pontoons. Was in Cobbs recently at the far end of A pontoon and could barley pick up a signal but on E pontoon in Port Hamble had great reception!

 

[lanerboy]

for what its worth Dean and Redyhoff in Weymouth is no better, we were told they were installing this super duper internet system so whilst upgrading out tv we splashed out on an internet tv well what a waste of money, new internet is total garbage we can never connect and just end up tethering all the time spoke to the marina and they say they don't know what the problem is well that's just great, total rubbish and we have given up now

Not sure what Swanick berthing fees are but MDL Port Hamble want £8500 for a 37 foot boat.

As for that well that's crazy at least Weymouth is about half that cost

 

[oGaryo]

These marinas need to set expectations more appropriately and to be honest, I feel for them as I doubt they're accustomed to purchasing services like this, and have probably been sold a lemon by the 3rd party. If they have told their punters the service will support wireless streaming of HD video to every berth holder, that is simply unrealistic especially considering the diversity of the end devices using the service. It's difficult enough to achieve that in an enclosed building never mind an open space with an ever changing environment to bounce signals around. They have probably read the marketing blurb for an office installation and incorrectly assumed they'll get the same in a marina environment.

 

[lisilou]

Hmmm the big Pearl next door but one has just gone out so thought I'd try the wifi again. Yep...seems that could be the problem. Working fine right now and quick enough to stream live tele. Now all I have to do is convince them to move the other side of that wifi pole thingy and all will be good with the world
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