Camping website Pitchup.com is expecting more WiFi complaints to come through after the Government announced it will push back broadband targets in rural UK.
Last week the Department of Culture, Media and Sport admitted that the deadline to bring more broadband to rural areas had been pushed back for a second time, while Pitchup said complaints about campsite WiFi have soared 91% compared to last year as customers expect the facility.
At the 5,000 listings on its site only 17% have WiFi and 8% offer the service for free, while hotels globally are increasingly offering a free service. It is this competition, coupled with higher demand, which is worrying some campsite owners.
“Getting away from it all no longer means being totally cut off as many of our customers still expect to be able to surf the net while camping, and not only to update their social networks. Wifi allows outdoor holidaymakers to keep a close eye on weather forecasts, check online map services and even plan their next pitch while on the road. Remote areas can suffer a lack of Wifi availability and this can deter holidaymakers,” said Dan Yates, managing director of Pitchup.
He added WiFi is used to work, can generate on-the-go bookings and is used by parents to help keep children entertained.
The website has called for more funding so areas can receive better broadband, as services in these areas are 10 times poorer than those in 11 European countries including Czech Republic and Romania.
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