WiFi -
o Is WiFi in camp workable *inside* your RV?
Yes, if the campground installed an adequate wireless system. Sometimes only part of the campground will have usable service.
o Do people use external antennas to improve their access?
Sometimes. Most people find that a USB connected WiFi adapter is the best as it can be positioned for the best signal strength. The directional antennas, like the Hawking adapters, are the best.
o Do camps have adequate upstream bandwidth to share between all the campers?
Sometimes, depends on what the users are doing. If one user is downloading a large file, it will slow down everyone, unless the router has some form of bandwidth control. Most campgrounds aren't that sophisticated.
Satelite -
o Is the real-world bandwidth hi-speed?
What do you call hi-speed? I get 1+Mbps down on my HughesNet system. Upload speeds run about 15-180kbps.
o Do the auto-seeking dishes on the roof work like you'd want?
Absolutely. Push one button and you can be online in minutes, as long as the antenna can see the satellite.
o Can you use the same dish (esp. auto-seeking) also work for TV?
Yes, with some restrictions.
o What are the makers and dealers in this?
Automatic antennas for HughesNet are available primarily from Motosat. They have the most experience in automatic satellite antennas.
Cellular -
o If Cingular 2.5G (GPRS) and 3G (UMTS) data service suits me at home, how happy will I be with that in how many non-city non-interstate campgrounds?
You won't get hi-speed cellular service in many of the places RVers like to go. If you can get the service, it will perform just like it does at home.
o Would the Cingular coverage maps online predict data service coverage too?
Coverage maps are only approximations. They have maps for data services as well as for voice service. They don't necessarily correspond.
o What providers have the best options in this, and what is their advantage?
Good question. Right now, Verizon Wireless and Sprint have the best coverage for data services.
See
this article in our library for more information.