Oshkosh Wifi
 

I need to conduct some business back in Alabama, on Thursday, while at OSH. Doing so will require a fast and reliable internet connection, as I'll be buying trucks at auction via streaming video and audio. The alternative is going home on Wednesday.

In past years I've not had much luck with the wifi service at Airventure, at least not from my tent in HBC. Seems like the system is fine on Saturday, and sometimes Sunday, but then it's just overloaded the rest of the week.

Brothers, sisters, computer pros, tell me what to do! How do I get a good connection? Would it make any difference to get close to a hot spot on the grounds? Do I need to go into town and find a cooperative business with an open link? Should I just forget about it and go home?

How about using your phone as a hotspot?
Not sure of the speed you need but would be faster than a clogged wifi.

I never had fast or reliable WiFi at Osh no matter where I tired it. I suggest either going over to Target or Panera where you can at least get a reliable connection or get with someone who is willing to share their smart phone's WiFi hotspot capability (assuming you don't have it yourself as most smart phones have the capability of being a Wifi hotspot).

Dan,

Can you tether from your smart phone and just use your data from your cell phone to feed "wifi" to your laptop or tablet?

Otherwise, it seems like going to Starbucks is your best bet.

I have to have connectivity too. I agree that if the wifi is the same as it has been, it isn't going to cut it. I'm hoping that with the temporary cell tower on the field in recent years, that a tethered phone will do the trick.

I've been on-site for a few days and the wifi is about the same as past years - spotty and poor. Verizon data from my iPad seems to be working well.

Simple answer, yes.
You would be using your cell data plan. Streaming would be running up your data totals. I guess that would be the price to pay to stay at Oshkosh another day.

I was going to say the cell phone tethering idea could be just as problematic, although if there's a temporary tower, maybe not so ... still, with that many people in such a small space, and if this is for critical business, regular wi-fi and cell phone service could be risky.

Is there nowhere you can plug in physically?

Using a cell phone hot spot is better than most realize, I have used it in the past at Osh with great results. I had to do that for a week at home when my cable internet was down, the speed was as good as Time Warner cable internet! I use AT$T, and with LOTS of use never even went over my data plan. Try it, you might like it!

Be careful with relying on cellular services. Most of the cell providers do bring in COWs (Cellular on Wheels) to boost capacity, but it can be hit or miss with the huge crowds.

Your best bet would be what was suggested above... going to a Starbucks, Panera, or local Library when your internet connection is critical.