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Topic: internet access coming to more California state parks (Read 3 times) previous topic - next topic
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internet access coming to more California state parks
Yahoo Message Number: 49802
Internet access in California state parks just got a boost.  Last week, the state of California selected SBC Communications to provide wireless networking access points in 85 state parks.  Access to park information will be free, and full Internet access will be available for $8 per 24 hours.  The service will be available in central locations, not throughout the parks.  SBC says it should have service available in most parks before summertime.

Read the SBC press release here http://www.sbc.com/gen/press-room?pid=6310

--oryoki
Re: internet access coming to more California state parks
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 49813
Quote
Internet access in California state parks just got a boost.  Last week, the state of California selected SBC Communications to provide wireless networking access points in 85 state parks.  > --oryoki
Interesting information.
 Heading out to TX in March. My research on TX state parks shows some of them also have wi-fi service plus some of the Interstate rest areas as well. Very convenient. Wish some of my favorite FL state parks offered wi-fi.

Ed

Ft. Pierce, FL
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] internet access coming to more Calif
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 49814
At 05:52 AM 1/24/2005 +0000, you wrote:

Quote
Access to park information will be free, and full Internet access will be available for $8 per 24 hours.
Is it just me, or does $8.00 for 24 hours of access seem a bit steep? If I paid anywhere near that much for my regular ISP, I would go broke!
 I had thought that wi-fi mean basically that anybody who was in the proper area and had a wi-fi card could "hop on board" without being screened or having to pay a special fee. In fact, I seem to remember a discussion several months ago over the propriety of "borrowing" Internet signals from wi-fi users this way. So how is CA going assess a charge for use, if the signal is simply "available" out in the ether?

Sonsie
Re: Internet access at California state parks
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 49815
"Is it just me, or does $8.00 for 24 hours of access seem a bit steep? If I paid anywhere near that much for my regular ISP, I would go broke!"
 I agree. But the state of CA probably has little control over what their service provider charges. Personally, I would use such a service at such a cost only if I were pretty desperate. (Note, however, that most commercial WiFi ISPs offer much cheaper service by the month, so you might not have to pay eight bucks a day if you use this on a regular basis. That may be the case here as well.)
 "I had thought that wi-fi mean basically that anybody who was in the proper area and had a wi-fi card could 'hop on board' without being screened or having to pay a special fee."
 Only if the person setting up the network is foolish enough (or generous enough) to leave it unprotected, as many homeowners and even a few businesses still do. But commercial "for-pay" WiFi providers are set up so that if you try to connect, you are sent to a special sign-up web page...and you can't get past that page until you either log in as an existing customer or provide credit card info so they can charge you.

Andy Baird
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] internet access coming to more Calif
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 49816
--- In lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com, Sonsie Conroy discussion

Quote
So how is CA going assess a charge for use, if the signal is simply "available" out in the ether?

Sonsie
Easy.
Just like Flying J does by requiring an access code to log into the system.
Agree on the $8. Flying J charges $4.95/24 hour period. So if you sign up for a 24 hour period, any Flying J you visit is included in that 24 hour time period.
Ed.
The law of TANSTAAFL universally.
There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.
:-)
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] internet access coming to more Calif
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 49818
Quote
"...will be available for $8 per 24 hours..."

"...does $8.00 for 24 hours of access seem a bit steep?...">

Sonsie
Sonsie, Andy, et al

The Calif. State Parks System is contracting with "LinkSpot" for their Wi-Fi service. LinkSpot's normal connection fees are: $2.95/hour, $5.95/day, $25/week & $35/month.
But, the park system has to get a cut as well.

Steve S.
Lazy Bones
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: internet access coming to more California state parks
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 49821
lejest2003  wrote:

The Calif. State Parks System is contracting with "LinkSpot" for their Wi-Fi service. LinkSpot's normal connection fees are: $2.95/hour, $5.95/day, $25/week & $35/month.
But, the park system has to get a cut as well.

According to the publicity blurbs, CA State Parks is contracting with SBC for its "FreedomLink" wireless service; isn't "LinkSpot" a different company/provider?  I know that LinkSpot has contracted with many private RV parks, including, I believe, KOA, to provide wireless connection, but I wasn't aware that LinkSpot was part of/owned by SBC...is it???

$8.00 for 24 hours is roughly twice the going rate for wireless in private parks; believe me, the California State Parks system doesn't miss a trick when it comes to fee increases and add-on charges; they make KOA look like pikers! Our state park fees increased substantially 1 July 2004, and several very high-demand state parks near heavily populated areas apparently are in cahoots with local/city governments to jump up fees even more, i.e., Seacliff SB, Sunset SB, and New Brighton SP.
 In my experience, it's a done deal to expect that the *general* fees for many or all of the 85 ( I didn't know we HAD 85 state parks!) CA state parks scheduled for wireless access will increase when the service is available; if we want to camp at one of the "wired" parks, we'll likely pay an additional camping fee *and* have the "opportunity" to shell out another $8.00 for wireless access.
However, if SBC does the job at the same rate of speed (and with the same "skill level" that it has done other things in CA), I'll likely be dead before they're all wired up!

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: internet access coming to more California state parks
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 49823
Quote
According to the publicity blurbs, CA State Parks is contracting with SBC for its "FreedomLink" wireless service; "

However, if SBC does the job at the same rate of speed (and with the same "skill level" that it has done other things in CA), I'll likely be dead before they're all wired up!

Joan
LOL Joan! But if they could call all of the registered RV owners in CA, you'd get a call from them tomorrow-even tho the service wasn't available yet.  At least that was our experience with high speed internet from SBC. I kept saying sure, sounds good, knowing full well it wasn't available in my area! Frustrated the heck out of the callers and now-no calls! Miracles do happen. Mary in SBC-less Dixon, CA
Re: internet access coming to more California state parks
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 49824
Quote
"According to the publicity blurbs, CA State Parks is contracting with SBC for its "FreedomLink" wireless..."

Joan
Joan

Right on, it is FreedomLink, not LinkSpot! Got my tongue tangled around my eye teeth and couldn't see what I was saying!!!!!!!!

Somewhere I read that LinkSpot was... oh well.

But, $8/day still beats $15/day that TengoInternet ISP, who contracts with the Texas State Parks, will charge its users.

Steve S.
Lazy Bones
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
 
Re: internet access coming to more California state parks
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 49830
lejest2003  wrote: But, $8/day still beats $15/day that TengoInternet ISP, who contracts with the Texas State Parks, will charge its users.

$15.00?  Yow!  Neither Texas nor California appear to be real savvy negotiators!

Joan
2003 TK has a new home