Message Forums

I suppose this is one for either Srnet or AntW.

I have the laptop with a GPRS card in and can get emails while away through our company network. But the internet access is painfully slow!

We also have a satellite dish in the caravan so we can get Sky TV. Surely, with modern technology as it is, there should be a way that we can get internet access through the satellite dish................?

I recall having read somewhere that it is possible (on the Astra website) but it was a bit complicated for a layman like me to understand.

Would someone else with a bit of technical knowhow like to have a read and perhaps explain it in laymans terms.

Our broadband connection at home is with BT.

Thanks in anticipation.........

Karl

Quote: Originally posted by julesandkarl on 06/08/2004

---

We also have a satellite dish in the caravan so we can get Sky TV. Surely, with modern technology as it is, there should be a way that we can get internet access through the satellite dish................?

Oh you can, but your Sky setup is one way, it only receives signals.

The Astra offering (from what I can see) is one way only, you can download at high speed via satellite, but you need a normal phone line or ISDN connection to transmit to the internet, which is not very helpful for most mobile users.

No idea if the transmit part is compatible with your GPRS, although I guess in theory it could.

For truely portable satellite internet access you need a 2 way setup (transmit and recieve), which is not very cheap.

Agreed

There are a few companies specialising in this - www.europeonline.com is one. As Stuart points out, a standard dish setup is designed only to receive data not send it, so you still need a phone line to upload. Even when you view webpages, your PC is still sending data.

You might be better off campaigning for WiFi hotspots at campsites you visit! (there's at least one already)

Thanks both for your advice. To be honest I hadn't given a thought to 'two way traffic'

I guess the cost of the 'full works' would be prohibitive.

Will have to stick to the gprs card I think.

Karl

This is what I'd like to see more of....

Camping Hotspots

I suppose everything is relative. If we wanted speed we would only stay on a campsite for half a day!!  You don't say whether you want to connect to the internet in the UK or abroad. Now you can obviously make use of a company connection which to you is an advantage. Everything I use I have to pay for myself. I agree the web is slow, even slower at 9600!!!! However during my trips abroad and in the UK I have accepted that e-mails OK but web use only when I really need it, perhaps to pay bills when abroad via internet banking with pictures switched off. It all works OK its just a little frightning waiting for the first bill once you are home.

David

I Put  this  link in here some where .. 

BUT here it  is again

http://www.jiwire.com/

ok here is a link to a web page that will tell you all about  hot spots  across  the world  and how  & what  you will need  to access them ...

Hope it  helps.

Hi Everyone,

I'm a new member to this forum and wanted to post a few comments that I thought might be helpful.

Firstly, to introduce myself, I'm from an Internet Company in South Devon and found this site when I noticed some referrals through my stats re Campsite / Caravan Hotspots.

Karl, in answer to your problem, a hotspot would be the best bet - it is way cheaper than satellite access and delivers high speed access without needing any cables or setting up.

Basically, the campsite / caravan park would need to setup a transmission point which delivers wireless, high-speed access to all caravans within several hundred metres sq.  They should offer this free, all you need to buy is a wireless card (approx £40).

The cost for the campsite would be several hundred pounds initially, but ongoing costs are minimal, if any.  (Alternatively, you could setup your own hotspot & split the cost with neighbouring caravans?)

Although established in supplying hotspots to Hotels / Conference Centres, we've only recently started offering this to campsites / caravan parks and I'd very much appreciate anyone's feedback as to how useful you'd find such a service, and whether you feel caravan parks would be interested in offering it?

If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to help.  For more info re hotspots, please visit www.visionhotspots.co.uk

Hope some of this has helped a bit.

Regards,

Richard.

richardbooker;

What I would be interested in knowing is the sort of range you get from a hot-spot in a typical open campsite with perhaps a few trees thrown in.

For instance assuming the hotspot antenna is approx 3M from the ground, how far away will you get relaible communications ?

Hello,

My name is Cy Nicholls and I am the R&D Manager for the hotspot division of Website Vision. Over the past few months I have been responsible for compiling a solution for this hotspot void that has encapsulated Britain.

In reply to Srnet's last post, distance from the actual hardware is dependant on the current connection speed. For example, standing close up to the device will give you maximum signal strength alongside highest bandwidth, as you move away connection speed is compromised for signal strength. In order to maintain healthy signal strength at (e.g.) 50 m away, the connection speed may be reduced by half. This principle is universal for all wireless devices.

Our solution can operate at a maximum of 300 metres from the point at a speed of 5.5Mbps and 200 metres at 11Mbps out in the open. This distance may fluctuate according to weather conditions.

In response to David Klyne's post:

"...It all works OK its just a little frightening waiting for the first bill once you are home...."

My reply is valid if I am correctly assuming that you are referring to the internet bill. Our solution works on a Pay as you surf basis, similar to a top up mobile phone. Credit is purchased for a quantative amount of time, which can be used at your disposal. When the time runs out, simply purchase another voucher. No installation fees, setup costs, or additional hardware to install. Just open up your web browsers and you're good to go.

The charge for connection is up to the operator of the hotspot (caravan park owner), but you may be able to negotiate access as part of your annual fee.

We are currently attempting to get this service installed in various campsites across the UK, however some owners aren't recognizing the potential unless pressure is received from their customers.  We are considerably doing a survey through this website to determine how useful caravan owners would find Internet access within their caravan – do you feel that this would be a good idea?



Best Regards

Cy Nicholls