WiFi: A Word of Caution

WiFi: A Word of Caution

Thursday, 27 August 2009 00:00

Wi-Fi is becoming a ‘must have' for holiday parks but park owners need to make sure that whoever they appoint to install their system is appropriately qualified and experienced advises Andy Hicks, managing director from wireless communications specialist, Ramtech.

There are increasing numbers of companies purporting to be Wi-Fi specialists but many of these only have expertise in IT technology. They lack radio frequency knowledge and thus have no track record in installing wireless systems that are suitable for parks. As a result, park owners could well find themselves with a low quality system which gives poor coverage and is temperamental and, in some cases, even dangerous.

Andy warns that some parks and Wi-Fi installers are unaware of the new EU legislations which make it mandatory for companies to log Wi-Fi activity on the networks they set up.

"Many people don't know that public communication networks need to retain communication data," he said. "The individual's user ID and telephone number as well as the name and address of the subscriber using the service at the time of a communication must all be stored. These regulations apply not only to large corporations but also to independent hotspot operators, including park sites."

In selecting a supplier, park owners need to opt for legitimate and knowledgeable companies, who not only have technical and commercial understanding and a reliable track record of setting up IP networks, but also have an understanding of holiday parks. For an outdoor wireless system that is suitable for a holiday park, radio is the most suitable connection method as it continues to work well in strong winds and saltwater.

Longevity of the company should also be a deciding factor in selecting a supplier. It is important to choose a financially sound company that is well established and will be around for years so that they can provide ongoing support to maintain and develop the network. There have been numerous incidents reported of park owners being left high and dry after their Wi-Fi installer has gone out of business.

"We enjoy many long term relationships with customers who come back to us time and time again because they are happy with the service we provide," said Andy Hicks. "We would like to see standards being raised in our industry and some sort or accreditation for companies in the sector so that park owners can be confident about the service they are receiving."