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WiFi coverage...has it really been improved?

Posted:
Thu Mar 24, 2011 4:54 pm
by nawty2sum
We'll be making our fourth visit to Desire in about four (very long) weeks. Our most recent visit was in February 2010. We've been reading sporadically since then in several threads that the WiFi coverage has indeed been improved, but we've never seen anything definitive. Some guests claim it has been, others say there are still areas of the resort where the signal is just as weak as it always has been.
So, which is it? We'll be in a Passion Suite again for this visit, and one thing that has always bugged me is why the guests in the most expensive rooms have perhaps the worst WiFi coverage in the entire resort. There's a thread below indicating that WiFi is still weak at the pool, which doesn't give me much reassurance that it's any better in the building with the Passion Suites. I don't mind going down to the lobby area once a day to download email, but I don't want to go there for Skype calls back home.

Posted:
Fri Mar 25, 2011 5:33 am
by oldseadog
SKYPE CALLS BACK HOME? FROM DESIRE??
Leave the laptop at home, forget about everything and just enjoy yourselves.

Posted:
Fri Mar 25, 2011 6:39 am
by nawty2sum
oldseadog wrote:SKYPE CALLS BACK HOME? FROM DESIRE??
Leave the laptop at home, forget about everything and just enjoy yourselves.
Nice idea, but just not practical for some of us.

Posted:
Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:18 am
by mfay
I didn't notice any difference in SPEED in February at all. It was still very slow, although it does seem like coverage is improved. I had no problem at all either in the room or near the pool making a connection.
But I would think the speed issue is going to make a Skype call pretty tough- seems like there would be a lot of delays in the conversation.

Posted:
Mon Mar 28, 2011 4:46 pm
by tikihutguy
We've used MagicJack up until our visit last summer when we added Mexico to our Verizon plan smartphone for $20 for the week! Reception was fine....


Posted:
Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:01 pm
by nawty2sum
I've noticed several posters saying they have successfully used Skype to call back home, so presumably it can be done. But strength of signal would definitely be essential.

Posted:
Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:07 pm
by nicenycpl
nawty2sum wrote:I've noticed several posters saying they have successfully used Skype to call back home, so presumably it can be done. But strength of signal would definitely be essential.
we used skype a bunch of times last week in our room 1202, right off of the lobby area.....it worked ok...and really improved if u switch off video and go voice only. Also there are multiple Desire wireless "sites" make sure you device is actualy using the best signal

Posted:
Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:26 pm
by tikihutguy
OK, but if you're going to Skype video watch your background...


Posted:
Mon Mar 28, 2011 8:52 pm
by nicenycpl
Thats why we only skype right before dinner (dressed anyway ) and only in our room


Posted:
Tue Mar 29, 2011 10:06 am
by nunyafun
my Xoom picked up the Wifi at the pool and the beach beds.....

Posted:
Tue Mar 29, 2011 1:16 pm
by tikihutguy
Xoom? Cool, but again watch the rear facing HD and 2MP front camera....
Of course could be fun in the right instance....


Posted:
Tue Mar 29, 2011 1:19 pm
by tikihutguy
Nice, what's the deal with the multiple Desire sites? What are they and how do you access???


Posted:
Tue Mar 29, 2011 4:25 pm
by Headstone
Just a lot of WiFi repeaters. Room number tends to be your access code

Posted:
Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:39 pm
by tikihutguy
Got it. It's always been the room numbers in our past expereience. Didn't consider the various repeaters. Thanks!


Posted:
Wed Mar 30, 2011 6:42 pm
by onering
wifi worked fine.. I used my itouch.