Wifi comes free on lots of French sites . Since members pay an annual subscription and site fees are not at the lower end of the scale, shouldn't wifi be free on the CC sites?
I have used a lot of French campsites in recent years and free WiFi is far from universial and when it is free its usually only available around the bar area. You do sometimes get a site with total cover for free. A lot of French sites seem to be contracting the supply of WiFi out and as a result their fees can be on a par wih the CC. The Club have made it very clear why they charge which is simply the cost of having it installed has to be recouped. This was not helped when they changed suppliers and found nearly all sites needed new equipment!!! Having said that £25 for a years unlimited WiFi is very good value if you use a fair number of Club sites which a lot of members do. The Club does listen, eventually!
This months mag explains why it is charging for it. In short it is the cost of gettingg a good signal over a large site rather than going free in Mcdonalds.I am not a fan of the Club's business affairs but this one makes sense to me.
Quote: Originally posted by checkley1973 on 29/12/2013
So what David is saying is correct, we are paying for their incompetence.
Quite the contrary, their first supplier went bust and left them to pick up the pieces. The article says that the new company need them to spend considerable sums of money to make sure the signal reaches all parts of the site, they have to recoup this expenditure from somewhere so again they show good business sense. Read the article it tells it as it is, as do most things the CC publish.
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
I am a member of the C.C. and to be honest it doesn't interest me in the least.
When we go away with the caravan its for some rest and relaxation, a bit of walking seeing the countryside and finding a nice pub for a couple of drinks or a meal.
There is nothing that cannot wait till I get back home as far as email etc is concerned.
Different I suppose if you have a business to run while on holiday.
So I am quite happy they are charging seperately for wifi and not including it in the pitch price.
I am not critisizing anyone who finds this necessary to use or can't live without it, to each there own.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
Why do we have to pay at c.c site nearly all pubs, restaurants, and some town centres have free wi-fi, once again the c.c. Excell themselves at getting more money from us.
Quote: Originally posted by bobmel on 29/12/2013
VangoMan02, totally agree. The idea of the caravan is to get away for a bit of relaxing. If tinternet is required good excuse to go down the pub
Bob.. you would mention the pub!!! Wheres my netbook
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
Quote: Originally posted by robin54 on 29/12/2013
Why do we have to pay at c.c site nearly all pubs, restaurants, and some town centres have free wi-fi, once again the c.c. Excell themselves at getting more money from us.
Pub, hotels and the like can have very simple wifi setups, they do not need to spread a wireless signal over several acres with all sorts of blockages in the way, this needs masts and very expensive equipment to bought and installed. This cost has to be found somewhere.
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
The latest Cc magazine also states that this service is not available at all sites, and where it is available, there will often be insufficient power to download a movie or watch internet tv. The service is more aimed at those who wish to send and receive emails, surf for tourist information, and do similar things to those available via a basic internet dongle, in no way is it ever going to be as good or as fast as the broadband service you will have at home. The club also state that in some areas the signal will not be available inside your caravan due to its insulation and metal box structure, they advise that wherever possible , the best place to use the connection is out in your awning.
The £25pa fee is good value if you could be guaranteed fairly good broadband speeds and enough power to watch the odd tv programme where the normal tv signal is very poor, or indeed to keep the kids happy on a rainy day with a new internet game, but l would look twice at paying it just to read my emails when i can do it for free in many public cafes and shops ect.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
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Topic: caravan club new wifi
