Those Who Travel - Hotel Internet Performance

[dmw16]

For those who use a lot of hotel wifi networks, have any of you tried to game online? I am mainly interested in games like counter strike and left4dead.

I would also consider an AT&T aircard.

Any comments on gaming performance over hotel wifi networks?

 

[buck]

It all depends on the place, hit and miss. That said, the last three hotels I have stayed at have had enough speed and no dropping for what I would consider decent gaming.

 

[HannibalX]

Hotel Wi-Fi is getting better. Four-five years ago it seemed like the hotel would place a single router somewhere in the building and it was difficult to stay connected. Most places now have repeaters and access is quite good (if you are staying in a decent hotel). Even better is when there is an ethernet jack in the room, usually at a small desk. 🙂

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Over hotel ethernet networks, I've been able to play BF2 just fine for many hours. Dunno about WiFi. I'd just use ethernet in the hotel room as long as it's available.

 

[LS21]

i think i spent about 1/4 days last calendar year in hotels. mostly sheraton and hilton-family hotels. i would rate internet as ABYSMAL. if you have a dedicated internet connection (ie through aircard), i would use that over the provided connection (wired or wireless... same wan line)

 

[MrChad]

In general, hotel internet speeds are adequate for downloading email and light internet surfing. You will likely have a miserable time trying to play games online.

 

[dmw16]

The aircard might be a better value anyhow. Not sure tho. If a hotel is $30/wk for internet, an aircard is only $60/mon...

 

[thepd7]

I can't see any way you would get internet fast enough to play Counterstrike on with an aircard.

 

[Zee]

ethernet is about dsl speed.

wifi was like .5 mb up and down

 

[dmw16]

DSL speed should be sufficient for gaming, right? 🙂

 

[Fritzo]

Hotel wifi has no standards---they may have a linksys set up in the lobby to service 4 floors, or they may have a $10000 amplified antenna network. Depends.

I know I got WMWiFiRouter for my Windows Mobile phone for such situations. I can turn my phone into a router and get a solid 2Mb connection in most major cities.

 

[dmw16]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
Hotel wifi has no standards---they may have a linksys set up in the lobby to service 4 floors, or they may have a $10000 amplified antenna network. Depends.

I know I got WMWiFiRouter for my Windows Mobile phone for such situations. I can turn my phone into a router and get a solid 2Mb connection in most major cities.

Something similar exist of a jailbroken iphone?

 

[2Xtreme21]

Originally posted by: dmw16

Originally posted by: Fritzo
Hotel wifi has no standards---they may have a linksys set up in the lobby to service 4 floors, or they may have a $10000 amplified antenna network. Depends.

I know I got WMWiFiRouter for my Windows Mobile phone for such situations. I can turn my phone into a router and get a solid 2Mb connection in most major cities.

Something similar exist of a jailbroken iphone?

PdaNet. You can use your iphone's usb cable to get a connection too.

Tethering is against AT&T's TOS though, so I wouldn't do any hardcore transferring.

 

[AndrewR]

Varies widely by hotel. Residence Inns are usually pretty good because most (all?) have dedicated ethernet lines in the rooms. Look for the hotels which are either new or recently remodeled, preferably hotel chain-owned (as opposed to franchised). Stayed at a Hyatt Place recently which was nearly brand new, and the place had about 5 access points.

One rule with hotel wifi -- no guarantee!

 

[Aimster]

Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21

Originally posted by: dmw16

Originally posted by: Fritzo
Hotel wifi has no standards---they may have a linksys set up in the lobby to service 4 floors, or they may have a $10000 amplified antenna network. Depends.

I know I got WMWiFiRouter for my Windows Mobile phone for such situations. I can turn my phone into a router and get a solid 2Mb connection in most major cities.

Something similar exist of a jailbroken iphone?

PdaNet. You can use your iphone's usb cable to get a connection too.

Tethering is against AT&T's TOS though, so I wouldn't do any hardcore transferring.

That's what I do. Just to surf the net though to avoid the $13/day charge.

 

[dmw16]

I will be staying at a Homestead Suites (about 5 years old). I am signing a 90-day contract so the internet is a one time $5 fee. A lot cheaper than an aircard.