PSA: WiFi can get you on the Internet, but it is not the Internet

[tvguy]

More and more people seem to think WiFi is the Internet. It is not. WiFi is the wireless way your device connects to the equipment that is capable of getting you on the Internet.
Seeing cruise lines and hotels advertise "Free WiFi" and people thinking this is free Internet access. In many cases it is just access to the ship or hotel WiFi system, to use their app, ONLY. You have to pay extra to be connected from that equipment onto the internet.

Looking at my cell phone, I can get on 6 different WiFi signals. That links me to five of my neighbors routers, and mine. But I don't have a pass code to get onto the Internet from those routers.

End of rant.

 

[sam_gordon]

More and more people seem to think WiFi is the Internet. It is not. WiFi is the wireless way your device connects to the equipment that is capable of getting you on the Internet.
Seeing cruise lines and hotels advertise "Free WiFi" and people thinking this is free Internet access. In many cases it is just access to the ship or hotel WiFi system, to use their app, ONLY. You have to pay extra to be connected from that equipment onto the internet.

Looking at my cell phone, I can get on 6 different WiFi signals. That links me to five of my neighbors routers, and mine. But I don't have a pass code to get onto the Internet from those routers.

End of rant.

So businesses are advertising "Free Wifi" and then charging people for internet access? Or forcing them to use their app? Hasn't been my experience. Can you list some examples?

Technically, you're correct. "Wifi" doesn't mean "internet". But if a business is advertising it, 99/100, they're referring to internet.

 

[team bradfield]

never had to pay for Google anytime, as long has I had Wifi, good to go. Do you mean streaming services?

 

[sam_gordon]

You also need to look for caveats (usually indicated, even if it's in small print).

Examples:
* For <insert CC brand> holders. Ex: *Free for American Express card holders.
* For <insert company loyalty> members Ex: * Free for Hilton Honors members
* For <insert company> subscribers Ex: * Free for T-Mobile subscribers

It's NOT unusual to have to login after joining to Wifi before you get to internet. Hilton has you put in your room number and last name. Delta (on appropriate flights) has you put in your Skymiles # and password.

 

[tvguy]

So businesses are advertising "Free Wifi" and then charging people for internet access? Or forcing them to use their app? Hasn't been my experience. Can you list some examples?

Technically, you're correct. "Wifi" doesn't mean "internet". But if a business is advertising it, 99/100, they're referring to internet.

Princess Cruise line is an example. You can connect via WiFi to the ships system to use their app to order food, drinks, check your bill, check the menus in the restaurants, check the entertainment schedule and activities........all for no charge. But you have to purchase one of three packages to get past the app onto the internet.

 

[tvguy]

never had to pay for Google anytime, as long has I had Wifi, good to go. Do you mean streaming services?

No. I mean anything on the Internet including Google. Google is an Internet site.
I stayed at a Marriott Bonvoy and WiFi got you ONLY to the hotels intranet page. You could check your bill, check out services in the hotel, etc.
They offered two levels of internet access
1) Basic internet for a fee. (The fee is waved if you are a member of their rewards program)
2) Deluxe internet access for a higher fee. Advertised as the best option for gaming and streaming.

 

[team bradfield]

yeah, we always have to login, campsite or room number, but its always been free where we stay, we don't cruise, so no experience with that

 

[tvguy]

You also need to look for caveats (usually indicated, even if it's in small print).

Examples:
* For <insert CC brand> holders. Ex: *Free for American Express card holders.
* For <insert company loyalty> members Ex: * Free for Hilton Honors members
* For <insert company> subscribers Ex: * Free for T-Mobile subscribers

It's NOT unusual to have to login after joining to Wifi before you get to internet. Hilton has you put in your room number and last name. Delta (on appropriate flights) has you put in your Skymiles # and password.

Yes. I am familiar with the logins. But that only gets you as far as the hotel/ships intranet site, unless your purchase an Internet package.

 

[sam_gordon]

Yes. I am familiar with the logins. But that only gets you as far as the hotel/ships intranet site, unless your purchase an Internet package.

And what ship or hotel is advertising "Free WiFi", with no caveats, then charging for internet?

 

[georgina]

Princess Cruise line is an example. You can connect via WiFi to the ships system to use their app to order food, drinks, check your bill, check the menus in the restaurants, check the entertainment schedule and activities........all for no charge. But you have to purchase one of three packages to get past the app onto the internet.

I have never run into that situation. My Marriott hotels have always given me free access to the internet. (I am a Bonvoy member)

Also never taken a Princess Cruise. No problem with Viking.

 

[tvguy]

I have never run into that situation. My Marriott hotels have always given me free access to the internet. (I am a Bonvoy member)

Also never taken a Princess Cruise. No problem with Viking.

Yes, I am a Bonvoy member so have free BASIC internet access. But there is a faster option for members.

 

[lanejudy]

Yes. I am familiar with the logins. But that only gets you as far as the hotel/ships intranet site, unless your purchase an Internet package.

That has not been my experience. Yes we to log-in with our name and/or room number, usually every 24 hours. But we could get past the hotel’s website IF it is advertised as “free WiFi.”

Looking at my cell phone, I can get on 6 different WiFi signals.

No, you see 6 options to connect. But as you noted YOU cannot get “on” without the password.

You are correct that “WiFi” is technically just the connection, which may or may not be password protected.

 

[tvguy]

And what ship or hotel is advertising "Free WiFi", with no caveats, then charging for internet?

That's not the issue.
Most cruise lines advertise Free Wifi as they use it for passengers to access ONLY their app on their intranet. People are confusing WiFi with Internet and are surprised they have to pay for an Internet package.

 

[sam_gordon]

That's not the issue.
Most cruise lines advertise Free Wifi as they use it for passengers to access ONLY their app on their intranet. People are confusing WiFi with Internet and are surprised they have to pay for an Internet package.

Your OP said "Seeing cruise lines and hotels advertise "Free WiFi" and people thinking this is free Internet access." It's now come out that you're complaining about Marriott, which you DID get Free Internet from (just not as fast as you'd like ). Joining Marriot Bonvoy is free, so yes, you get FREE Internet access.

Your other complaint is Princess cruises. I can't find anywhere on their site where they advertise "Free Wifi".

Royal offers on board wifi (no internet) that allows you to access their daily planner, on board reservations, menus, etc, but I don't think they advertise "Free Wifi" either.

I mean, the PSA is simply "caveat emptor", or "buyer beware". Know what you're buying before you agree to purchase.

 

[disneychrista]

I have never been anywhere that offered "free wifi" that did not mean I could use the connection for whatever purpose I chose, except maybe adult websites or other things the provider might have blocked. Walmart, Safeway and similar offer free wifi so you can use their app but you can also connect to any other app or website you want. I use Walmart wifi to price comapre with Safeway and vice versa

Wifi is, in general, how you connect to the internet.

 

[tvguy]

Your OP said "Seeing cruise lines and hotels advertise "Free WiFi" and people thinking this is free Internet access." It's now come out that you're complaining about Marriott, which you DID get Free Internet from (just not as fast as you'd like ). Joining Marriot Bonvoy is free, so yes, you get FREE Internet access.

Your other complaint is Princess cruises. I can't find anywhere on their site where they advertise "Free Wifi".

Royal offers on board wifi (no internet) that allows you to access their daily planner, on board reservations, menus, etc, but I don't think they advertise "Free Wifi" either.

I mean, the PSA is simply "caveat emptor", or "buyer beware". Know what you're buying before you agree to purchase.

People on the cruise forums find it confusing. I have no beef with the hotels or cruiselines.

 

[kdonnel]

I understand some of your argument.

It’s just people not knowing the correct term.

Saying I need wifi instead of I need internet. But it has been used incorrectly for long enough that in most people’s minds wifi = internet and suddenly it’s not the wrong term.

 

[sam_gordon]

People on the cruise forums find it confusing. I have no beef with the hotels or cruiselines.

Where? I've been on Cruise Critic for 12 years and never saw anyone get "confused".

Again, you claimed hotels/cruises were advertising "Free Wifi" and not delivering free access to the internet. But, by your own admission, Marriott does. And Princess isn't advertising free wifi.

 

[tvguy]

Where? I've been on Cruise Critic for 12 years and never saw anyone get "confused".

Again, you claimed hotels/cruises were advertising "Free Wifi" and not delivering free access to the internet. But, by your own admission, Marriott does. And Princess isn't advertising free wifi.

Look no further than the DIS.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/currently-on-the-dream-7-24-8-2-questions.3970851/#post-66286251

https://www.disboards.com/threads/c...24-8-2-questions.3970851/page-2#post-66289491
https://www.disboards.com/threads/recent-wifi-experience-in-preferred-loops.3962542/

 

[sam_gordon]

Look no further than the DIS.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/currently-on-the-dream-7-24-8-2-questions.3970851/#post-66286251

https://www.disboards.com/threads/c...24-8-2-questions.3970851/page-2#post-66289491
https://www.disboards.com/threads/recent-wifi-experience-in-preferred-loops.3962542/

All different situations than what you complained about in the OP.

But yes, as @kdonnel said, "Wifi" generally means "internet". The important thing is people get their questions answered. "How much is WiFi?" gets the answer " $20/day" (whatever amount).

The questioner then knows what it costs to access the internet.