jarledb: I don't get why you don't take it up with the people running the camping ground?!
http://www.okainsbaycamp.co.nz/
Because if they did offer Wi-Fi, it'd probably come at tourist rates, and we think mobile data is bad.
I doubt the solution to this problem though will ever happen nation wide in the next 10 years. It's probably not economic for the rest of the year outside vacation time. Maybe in 25 years when the population increases and expands.
I think the answer to this problem is with the camp ground though. I haven't come across many that don't have at least Wi-Fi available at over-inflated prices for very little speed for those that need an I.T. hit in the wilderness.
An RF amplifier or gain antenna for a t-stick helps. I went to Karamea once, end of the road there! Nothing works without a good directionally gained antenna on a hill top or in the open. Or in the right spot only in a few places. Interesting little place for nature lovers.
I can't see the answer coming from Government though. We all know they get told it costs 100 times as much because they'll pay it. It probably needs the kiwi DIY mentality, not a consultants 100 times the price quote. Big business and big decisions don't go hand in hand with small money and simplified or more DIY mentality technologies.
It would be good if local government/councils got in on the action. There's a lot of smaller rural places seriously considering having Wi-Fi in these areas as a must for younger tourists.
New Zealand's biggest flaw is it's geographical nature though and always will be vs population density. It's the same with broadcast. It's a pain the rear and most of the country side is not economic to offer service beyond the mainstream or satellite.
Ray's business model is obviously working for him. But to apply that to a sudden 1,000 population boost in a small area a lot of people like to get away from the grid in, not all year round... may not look so economically viable.
Technologies like Wi-Fi though, that'd be like going back to dial-up with 1,000 users even if you used all the free 2.4GHz spectrum etc... cause not everyone has 5GHz and TDMA based Wi-Fi like Mikrotik... again 1,000 users, even if split over 3 AP's that's still gonna be real slow.
Wi-Fi at the camp ground won't work for kiwi's. Only tourists that know they'll pay to much for the use of it. Then a few users download a couple of illegal movies to watch while they are there and there lies liability for the camp grounds Internet connection. Then there's interference, traffic management etc... they are only a camp ground.
So smaller cell sites around the country... yes. Like mentioned though, you have the tenure of frequency. Unless you put aside a bunch of spectrum as a free for all for the Telco's to use with their technology. However then it'll be more expensive and to convince them all cell phones should be unlocked from a providers point of view and they all have to just 'share' public space... not being able to control customers, own their own network performance... nah won't happen.
In a perfect world... Internet everywhere. I'm glad it's not. I don't need a panic attack when the power goes out. Employ some good staff to hold down the fort for a few weeks and spend more time relaxing. Or take it all on yourself but choose a better destination. Perhaps a service availability tool for telco's on their websites will come in handy for having a quick glimpse before setting off. I've had to do that before.
Sorry for the edits. Nothing better to think about or change this early in the morning after work.
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