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.

“…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.

I have a suspicion that they may be a reseller for Idlebusters line of TV and Wi-fi products. Just an observation though

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

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?

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.