How to Rescue Truck Stop Wi-Fi
Posted on Nov 30, 2007 - 8:23pm by E. Phil Haley in Technology
With SiriCOMM going the way of Truckstop.net I thought it might be time to get in touch with a certain senior official at Flying J Communications. He prefers I keep his name out of print but over the last couple of years, especially while I was writing “Over the Road Wireless For Dummies”, he’s been especially open, honest and helpful.
When Truckstop.net folded, still holding the funds of many a good trucker, Flying J offered to honor the obligations left unfulfilled by Truckstop.net. So I asked him; “will Flying J be stepping in and coming to the rescue as it did in the previous debacle?” His emailed answer included a surprising revelation along with an invitation to call and discuss the situation further. I accepted that invitation, earlier today, and I now know that Flying J is offering the solution to nearly every trucker’s complaint concerning WiFi services.
SiriCOMM is (can’t use the past-tense yet) a publicly held company; as such their financial situation is, quite literally, an open book. Not surprisingly, folks at Flying J availed themselves of the opportunity to study that book and, quite some time ago, came to the conclusion that the business model employed by SiriCOMM was unlikely to succeed. Because of this, they began discussing the position they’d likely take if SiriCOMM ceased operations. At this moment, Flying J is still “…discussing how and with what offer we should present to Siricomm customers….” I suspect (of course, I don’t presume to know for sure) that something could be announced soon.
As with the offer to bail out Truckstop.net subscribers, any potential offer would, no doubt, be designed to increase the Flying J subscriber base. As it should be. If they decide to accept the responsibilities abdicated by SiriCOMM they should be allowed the opportunity to gain the benefits. All well and good – but here’s the big revelation I alluded to:
Flying J is Offering to Create a Single WiFi Network
Calls have been made. Meetings have even taken place. At this moment, however, it seems that the pleas made by Flying J to the other major truck stop operators have, unfortunately, fallen on deaf ears. The goal that Flying J seeks to achieve is the creation of “an industry wide wifi network.” They feel, and I agree, that “a single large wifi network would compete better with the aggressive cellular data programs now available.”
The gentleman with whom I spoke went on to say that a single network “would be better for the customer and better for the technology.” The biggest stumbling block, though, seems to be in getting all the parties to the bargaining table. A few of them won’t even return calls. Granted, the major truck stop operators are competitors, and other issues are likely overshadowing any desire some may have to enter discussions, but it’d be really nice if they’d look beyond their differences and just do what is best for their customers.
I like Wi-Fi. I prefer it, for a number of reasons, to cellular broadband. I’d really like it if I could have a single Wi-Fi subscription. One I can use no matter the truck stop in which I find myself parked. Right now, even without any formal agreement, it’s possible to connect to the Flying J network from most TA and Petro Travel Plazas; that’s because Flying J has installed equipment in adjacent areas. With an agreement, though, that equipment could be positioned for maximum coverage and signal strength.
We need to voice our support
One thing I know, for sure, is that truck stop operators really do care about enticing customers into their facilities. I haven’t really thought out the method by which we can make ourselves heard in regard to this issue. If we want to see a single industry-wide WiFi network become a reality, and I can’t imagine why we wouldn’t, we do have to make our voices heard – clearly and loudly.
At this time and from this place I’m urging the decision makers at Travel Centers of America (who now also own Petro), Pilot Travel Centers, Love’s Travel Centers, and any other interested truck stop operator to contact your counterparts at Flying J Communications. And, you know, if they’ve already called you, at least return the call; its the polite thing to do.
Hybrid Technology for My Next Truck
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I can see your point about Wi-Fi but I don’t share it. I prefer wireless cellular. I currently subscribe to two services. If one doesn’t work the other one might. I’ve found that most places east of I-35 I generally (not always) have service. West of I-35 I generally have service in all the metro areas, on a lot of the interstate system , and many, if not most small towns.
However…I once had service up on a mesa in Colorado….fifty miles from the nearest asphalt…much less nearest town.
Why do I feel this way? Well I’m burnt out on “here today gone tomorrow..but we’ll just keep your money ” truck stop services. It seems to have started with Park ‘n View and anyone who’s been driving for a while can name several more.
In addittion I’m none too happy with the way I’ve been treated over the years by the current truckstop chains. The word cash-cow comes to mind instead of customer as does exploitation instead of service. I’m not too anxious to further their financial aggrandizement.
Flying J just might be an exception but I can’t generally stop there due to several reasons I won’t go into now.
I stop at “mom and pops” if I can, and I generally have wireless. Calling it broadband might be a stretch sometimes.
Right now I’m in the backwoods of Louisiana about ten miles from the Arkansas line , out in the country away from any town, nowhere near an interstate, in the parking lot of a individually owned truck service company..(my truck’s broke) ..and I’ve got internet.
Surprised me too. Coverage is expanding daily.
It ought to be…I’ve hauled many a cell tower communications equipment shelter.
Still do.
[quote comment="756"]Why do I feel this way? Well I’m burnt out on “here today gone tomorrow..but we’ll just keep your money ” truck stop services. It seems to have started with Park ‘n View and anyone who’s been driving for a while can name several more.[/quote]
That’s the whole point of consolidation. Create one industry-wide service built on a proven stable business model. The end of “here today, gone tomorrow”. That way, even if you never stop at a Flying J, you can still use the service.
I’ve been in this business since 1979 and one phrase I’ve heard over and over again from nearly every driver I’ve ever spoken with is “Oh, I hardly ever stop at truck stops” or your version “I stop at ‘mom and pops’”. I’m not saying that you don’t, but, if nobody stops at truck stops, or only stops at the “mom and pops”, then who’s driving all those trucks plugging the parking lots at the chains? I’m not just interested in consolidation for myself, I’d like to see it happen as a way to entice even greater numbers of drivers to take advantage of the technology that’s available to them; making their lives a little bit better.
[quote comment="756"]In addition I’m none too happy with the way I’ve been treated over the years by the current truck stop chains. The word cash-cow comes to mind instead of customer as does exploitation instead of service. I’m not too anxious to further their financial aggrandizement.[/quote]
Well, I can’t say I entirely disagree with you regarding this point. I’ve not felt that either the past or current crop of truck stop chains have, at all times, been primarily interested in meeting my needs. But I’m trying here to focus on a single service. Over the last couple of years I’ve gotten to know a few folks at Flying J. I’ve also made, or attempted to make, similar contacts at other companies, truck stops and otherwise. The people who have consistently shown the most interest in providing drivers with an excellent service, and I’m focused on WiFi, have been those at Flying J.
I’ve said this before and I’ll repeat it here; those that I’ve gotten to know at Flying J have been the embodiment of this Zig Ziglar philosophy: “You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.”
Flying J isn’t just trying to make money with their offer to consolidate the competing Wi-Fi services – they’re attempting to provide a good service built on a stable platform. And they expect to make money as a result. My judgment is that you could be fairly described as attempting to do the same – and I suspect you expect to make money as a result; don’t you?
Actually I subscribe to the “Work is Play” concept. I enjoy driving…operating heavy equipment. Driving a truck let’s me get paid for playing. Paid a little bit anyway.
The driver’s who DON’T stop at the mom’n pops…many if not most….are company drivers whose company has designated fuel stops (due to kickbacks) and the mom n pops aint them. They GOTS to stop at the chains.
All in all though I can’t disagree with you. It’ll be kinda nice if a consolided Wi-fi ever happens…I guess. …. Wi-Fi is not really designed for that. About a thousand feet is as far as it reaches. As the following quote from somewhere says…
“…of Wi-Fi–which features networking nodes that use the 802.11b wireless technology to broadcast an Internet connection over a radius of 300 feet”
I had flying J wifi subscription for years. I truly, really WANTED it to work. Since I drive a larger than normal truck there are only a few parking spots I dare get into at a J…If i don’t want to get hit and if I want to get OUT early in the morning……normally the back row. Were wi-fi was marginal to non existent.
Higher power or more antenna would help.
There are other outfits working on nationwide wifi using another standard I imagine.
http://www.news.com/Is-roaming-coming-to-Wi-Fi/2100-1033_3-957411.html
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/columns/article.php/1434601
and 1.6 million other hits when I google “roaming wi-fi
I think someone is already working on this problem, looks like a good Idea.
http://www.roadshout.com
I gotta tell youKenneth. They may be legitimate, but that site you offered is pretty amateurish to be offering something that will be the next generation in road communications.
I have a suspicion that they may be a reseller for Idlebusters line of TV and Wi-fi products. Just an observation though
I use to try an work on getting a signal source wi-fi provider for truckstops when 802.11b was new just gave up but if the “J” is now working on this I’ll have to see what I can do to talk to some of those old contacts .I hope that the “J” is going to go into the new wi-max upgrade
I know I’m late posting this but I only stumbled across this site a few days back, and I’m still milling though the archives.
“…it seems that the pleas made by Flying J to the other major truck stop operators have, unfortunately, fallen on deaf ears….”
Not sure that is entirely accurate. The other Stops have their own interests (as some already have a wifi net set up), and may have other contractual obligations that could/might prohibit them from joining in with the Flying Hook. I notice that the other Stops are where you’ll find that Thieving organization known as Idle-Aire.
And Thieving-Aire, oooops…. sorry I meant Idle-Aire offers internet access.
Though there is a Flying Hook in El Paso that has Idle-Aire on their lot.
“…I like Wi-Fi. I prefer it, for a number of reasons, to cellular broadband….”
I agree totally with you on this.
“…I’d really like it if I could have a single Wi-Fi subscription…”
I’m not sure that is a good idea, though it would be cost-effective over the short term.
“…If we want to see a single industry-wide WiFi network become a reality, and I can’t imagine why we wouldn’t, …”
I can imagine why we wouldn’t. I dont think a monopoly on a service is a good idea, and that is close to what would be created.
If all the Stops were part of a single network, there would be no competition. Without competition, they wouldn’t have to improve service and could be extremely slothful in upgrading with advancing technology.
Also, they could choose to raise their subscription rates anytime they wished, and with “a single …network” we would have no other options available and would have to pay the increase.
That would make it more costly to me to play poker on-line.
All good points, Rick.
As far as the entreaties made by Flying J to the other truck stops; I was referring only to the chains (TA, Petro, Love’s and Pilot) and, at the time, they had no obligations, contractual or otherwise, that would keep them from joining forces to create a single subscription network. IdleAire is a separate entity that operates, for the most part, with autonomy.
I understand your trepidation about a single subscription but my concern, and the concern of others, is with the subscription services, like Siricomm and others, that contract with the chains to provide a service, sell long term subscriptions to drivers, and then cease business operations with no accountability on the part of the truck stop chain.
Your point concerning competition is also well taken but I see it, to a certain extent, in a vein similar to that of the competition faced by satellite radio. While it’s true that a single subscription network would result in no other truck stop Wi-Fi provider – just as the merger of XM and Sirius will result in a single satellite radio provider – competition still exists. For Wi-Fi it comes from cellular and, soon, from WiMax.
As for pricing, the providers will certainly want to maximize their income but the marketplace will determine that maximum price via supply and demand; just as it does now.
All this conversation, though interesting, is probably academic because there’s been no movement on the part of any of the potential players, with the possible exception of Flying J, to move toward a single subscription network.