jimi
Well-Known Member
Why do marinas insist on charging for a service that costs virtually nothing to provide?
Wifi ripoffs
- Thread starter jimi
- Start date
Vara
Well-Known Member
And hotels, don't mind a charge, but £10 a day............humph.
3's 3G dongle gets me out of their clutches in most places now.
3's 3G dongle gets me out of their clutches in most places now.
Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
... and it'll be 3G that changes it.... once it becomes prevalent, then the marinas will either abandon wifi entirely, or revert to free services..... saying that WiMAX may change it all anyway....
DJE
Well-Known Member
A cost is a fact; a price is a decision!
I've been looking at various Wi-Fi roaming packages and just about decided to add £5 a month to my Vodafone bill for unlimitted internet use.
I've been looking at various Wi-Fi roaming packages and just about decided to add £5 a month to my Vodafone bill for unlimitted internet use.
rickp
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
... and it'll be 3G that changes it.... once it becomes prevalent, then the marinas will either abandon wifi entirely, or revert to free services..... saying that WiMAX may change it all anyway....
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, the wifi companies (in particular wifispark and oceanwave, who share a backend) have shot themselves in the foot. By trying to keep the market segmented, they've given the market over to 3G data services. Who'd pay for wifi in a marina, when 3G costs much the same, and works in many more places? Especially as you can get Pay-as-you-go 3G data services now....
Rick
... and it'll be 3G that changes it.... once it becomes prevalent, then the marinas will either abandon wifi entirely, or revert to free services..... saying that WiMAX may change it all anyway....
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, the wifi companies (in particular wifispark and oceanwave, who share a backend) have shot themselves in the foot. By trying to keep the market segmented, they've given the market over to 3G data services. Who'd pay for wifi in a marina, when 3G costs much the same, and works in many more places? Especially as you can get Pay-as-you-go 3G data services now....
Rick
dukes4monny
Well-Known Member
3 are rolling out their HSDPA service which is the next stage on from 3G and gives realistic broadband speeds. I have found it works very well on my Brixham mooring.
I had previously tried using the WiFi from Brixham marina (MDL?) which managed to make one connection only so that I could pay and got nothing else for my £10 /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
I had previously tried using the WiFi from Brixham marina (MDL?) which managed to make one connection only so that I could pay and got nothing else for my £10 /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
GlennG
Well-Known Member
Not sure I agree that the prices are a rip-off. The price per day is high, say £10, but the weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual charges are generally very low. ISTR £20/month, £30/quarter in more than one marina.
The problem is that it's expensive if you're only using it for a day.
If you're moving around, then use a 3G dongle. I'm sure these prices will reduce as there's serious competition from the hotspot market (unlike the near oligopoly of the mobile phone market).
The problem is that it's expensive if you're only using it for a day.
If you're moving around, then use a 3G dongle. I'm sure these prices will reduce as there's serious competition from the hotspot market (unlike the near oligopoly of the mobile phone market).
fireball
Well-Known Member
£20/month is more than I pay for my home broadband .... and more than I could pay for broadband via my mobile .... (£15 for 3Gb limit or £10 for less)
jimi
Well-Known Member
yeah but £20 pcm may be OK if you're a liveaboard, if you visit fortnightly then the £10 a go to look at the weather's a bit steep!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cactus
Well-Known Member
I've heard good reports about BT FON - you can connect to someones house wifi setup and in return you 'open' your own connection up (limited) to others to use.
Works best in those marinas / zoos surrounded by apartment blocks /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Works best in those marinas / zoos surrounded by apartment blocks /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
matelot
Well-Known Member
Its called business. Worst example is bottled water.
On second thoughts I'll replace that. The worst nautical example is the Govt re-selling Captain Cook's survey data time and again in their charts. Nobody can rip off like the govt - its the one and only thing they are any good at.
On second thoughts I'll replace that. The worst nautical example is the Govt re-selling Captain Cook's survey data time and again in their charts. Nobody can rip off like the govt - its the one and only thing they are any good at.
dkm
Well-Known Member
I signed up with Oceanwave for 3 months in February and its still active!
Moonshining
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Why do marinas insist on charging for a service that costs virtually nothing to provide?
[/ QUOTE ]
If it's done properly, there's a fair infrastructure cost. At Chichester, Oceanwave installed a mast for every other pontoon. The cost of that must have been several tens of thousands of pounds with a relatively small daily take up, I would have thought. They also have real people on their helpdesk so that's another cost.
It's not just a question of installing a broadband line and a home wireless access point in the marina office.
Why do marinas insist on charging for a service that costs virtually nothing to provide?
[/ QUOTE ]
If it's done properly, there's a fair infrastructure cost. At Chichester, Oceanwave installed a mast for every other pontoon. The cost of that must have been several tens of thousands of pounds with a relatively small daily take up, I would have thought. They also have real people on their helpdesk so that's another cost.
It's not just a question of installing a broadband line and a home wireless access point in the marina office.
snowleopard
Well-Known Member
What a bizarre statement!
If you know a way of setting up the infrastructure and maintaining it for 'virtually nothing' I'd love to hear about it!!!!
If you know a way of setting up the infrastructure and maintaining it for 'virtually nothing' I'd love to hear about it!!!!
jimi
Well-Known Member
Why is it bizarre? Installing a broadband line and a home wireless access point seems to work in most continental hotels (and such signals can be picked up from most harbours/marinas I've been in). Methinks you're sufferering from the classic Brit disease of over engineering and trying to provide a Rolls Royce when all that's needed is a pushbike!
maxi77
Well-Known Member
To be honest I can remeber 30 years ago people saying MDL were charging too much and would go bust before long as people boycotted them, hasn't happened yet.
Now there are more in the game more competition but have the prices fallen? I suspect by the time other forms of wireless access become the norm the marinas will have recouped their capital costs and be quite willing to undercut other services.
By the way why do we have to have an internet connection to get the weather forecast, it is available in almost al;l harbours, many daily papers, the radio and over vhf from the CG on good days.
Now there are more in the game more competition but have the prices fallen? I suspect by the time other forms of wireless access become the norm the marinas will have recouped their capital costs and be quite willing to undercut other services.
By the way why do we have to have an internet connection to get the weather forecast, it is available in almost al;l harbours, many daily papers, the radio and over vhf from the CG on good days.
fireball
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
By the way why do we have to have an internet connection to get the weather forecast, it is available in almost al;l harbours, many daily papers, the radio and over vhf from the CG on good days.
[/ QUOTE ]
Because we all have our own preferences and ideas about reliability of weather forecast services ...
By the way why do we have to have an internet connection to get the weather forecast, it is available in almost al;l harbours, many daily papers, the radio and over vhf from the CG on good days.
[/ QUOTE ]
Because we all have our own preferences and ideas about reliability of weather forecast services ...
jimi
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
By the way why do we have to have an internet connection to get the weather forecast, it is available in almost al;l harbours, many daily papers, the radio and over vhf from the CG on good days.
[/ QUOTE ]
Cos I like to look at the synoptics .. and then colour them in with my crayons
By the way why do we have to have an internet connection to get the weather forecast, it is available in almost al;l harbours, many daily papers, the radio and over vhf from the CG on good days.
[/ QUOTE ]
Cos I like to look at the synoptics .. and then colour them in with my crayons
Robin
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
By the way why do we have to have an internet connection to get the weather forecast, it is available in almost al;l harbours, many daily papers, the radio and over vhf from the CG on good days.
[/ QUOTE ]
Because some places never get round to putting up a forecast until after the time you want lo leave, or if at all. In harbours where you are not on walkashore berths, getting the HMs forecast means a dinghy trip and you might be planning an early departure. What kind of forecast do you get from a daily paper, no detail, probably not marine and 24hrs out of date? Radio, yes if you are an area with local radio that gives a marine rather than commuter/shopper's forecast. VHF via HMCG, well yes if they aren't too busy with an incident or on a work to rule sulk.
The Internet however gives rapid access to a variety of data sources including synoptic charts actual and predicted ahead, actual wind direction and strength data updated every 10 minutes, not to mention more sources than just the 'get it all out in 3 minutes' Met Office shipping forecast. For example before we head off say on a Friday across Channel for the weekend, we will of course view or listen to the Shipping Forecast, but we will also look at what MeteoFrance has to say (better IMO) as well as XCweather and checking actual wind data from Hurst Point, Portland Bill, Channel Lt Vessel, Alderney and Cherbourg. With the internet too we can look ahead to our return trip on the Sunday and that might be information that would determine if indeed we left or aborted on the Friday, work still rules!
We have free WiFi in our YC marina which can be slow to dead stop sometimes at busy times but at least it gives some chance of an update. We have more than once had to wait a few days on board for better weather before starting a cruise and were really glad to have the internet access available on board where previously it was phone a friend time to get more than the basic information.
We have a Hawking Dish WiFi aerial and in the absence of a harbour system can often find an open source farther away. In France the excellent Netabord system gives us 24hrs of on-line time over up to 90 days for just 14 euros (but importantly with FREE access to MeteoFrance) and this covers many harbours from Le Havre to Benodet. Admittedly there are some ripoff deals in France too like Orange which gives just half the time and half the expiry time for the same price of Netabord, but then Concarneau Marina gives access completely free to vistitors berthing there.
I would consider a contract or PAYG USB dongle but I think these are not available or very costly out of the UK, not good value yet for our usage.
By the way why do we have to have an internet connection to get the weather forecast, it is available in almost al;l harbours, many daily papers, the radio and over vhf from the CG on good days.
[/ QUOTE ]
Because some places never get round to putting up a forecast until after the time you want lo leave, or if at all. In harbours where you are not on walkashore berths, getting the HMs forecast means a dinghy trip and you might be planning an early departure. What kind of forecast do you get from a daily paper, no detail, probably not marine and 24hrs out of date? Radio, yes if you are an area with local radio that gives a marine rather than commuter/shopper's forecast. VHF via HMCG, well yes if they aren't too busy with an incident or on a work to rule sulk.
The Internet however gives rapid access to a variety of data sources including synoptic charts actual and predicted ahead, actual wind direction and strength data updated every 10 minutes, not to mention more sources than just the 'get it all out in 3 minutes' Met Office shipping forecast. For example before we head off say on a Friday across Channel for the weekend, we will of course view or listen to the Shipping Forecast, but we will also look at what MeteoFrance has to say (better IMO) as well as XCweather and checking actual wind data from Hurst Point, Portland Bill, Channel Lt Vessel, Alderney and Cherbourg. With the internet too we can look ahead to our return trip on the Sunday and that might be information that would determine if indeed we left or aborted on the Friday, work still rules!
We have free WiFi in our YC marina which can be slow to dead stop sometimes at busy times but at least it gives some chance of an update. We have more than once had to wait a few days on board for better weather before starting a cruise and were really glad to have the internet access available on board where previously it was phone a friend time to get more than the basic information.
We have a Hawking Dish WiFi aerial and in the absence of a harbour system can often find an open source farther away. In France the excellent Netabord system gives us 24hrs of on-line time over up to 90 days for just 14 euros (but importantly with FREE access to MeteoFrance) and this covers many harbours from Le Havre to Benodet. Admittedly there are some ripoff deals in France too like Orange which gives just half the time and half the expiry time for the same price of Netabord, but then Concarneau Marina gives access completely free to vistitors berthing there.
I would consider a contract or PAYG USB dongle but I think these are not available or very costly out of the UK, not good value yet for our usage.
maxi77
Well-Known Member
Just wondering as I have yet to even take a computer to sea, and have not found myself over restricted, the over riding reasons so far are a combination of conspiracy theory, and oops I forgot.
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