Marina Wifi Trends: Key Trends Shaping Modern Harbors
Marina Wifi Trends: Key Trends Shaping Modern Harbors
Marina wifi has shifted from a nice-to-have amenity to a must-have. Boaters across the US now expect fast, reliable internet for streaming, remote work, and multiple devices. For US marina operators, it’s essential to meet the current marina wifi trends.
Wifi is Now Essential
Back in the day, wifi was a perk. Now, though, it’s an expected utility. In fact, many US boaters now expect high-speed internet access at marinas.
Alongside this, wifi ranks alongside power and water as must-haves. Most boaters even consider wifi as a quality when choosing a marina to dock at.
This suggests one clear thing. Boaters expect quality marina wifi. Without it, they may not be satisfied at your dock, or, worse, not even consider booking it.
Demand for Streaming and Remote Work
Today’s boaters aren’t just checking emails. They’re streaming HD movies, attending Zoom meetings, and even working completely remotely from the dock.
A recent survey outlines this perfectly as well. It concluded that 70% of boaters use marina wifi for work-related tasks while docked.
Alongside this, from a broader context, US wireless data consumption hit an all-time high in 2023, at 100 trillion MB (a 36% jump from 2022).
For marina operators, this trend means investing in higher bandwidth internet. It’ll help support the increased data consumption needs from US boaters.
Multiple Devices Per Boat
A single boat may run 10+ wireless devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, security cameras, smart appliances, and more.
Now, multiply this by 50 or 100 vessels. You have 500 to 1,000 devices connected to your network.
If your system is unable to support so many devices, it could result in dissatisfied boaters, resulting in fewer bookings, more negative reviews, etc.
Connectivity for Smart Marina Systems
Beyond guest devices, marinas are adopting smart technologies that require higher-quality wifi networks.
Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, live video monitoring systems, access controls, etc., now monitor docks, improve efficiency, and reduce staff demands.
For example, wifi networks link water-level sensors, smart lighting, remote-controlled boat lifts, and more into one central management system.
Due to the increasing demand for smart marina systems, marina operations need to build strong networks, ensuring strong coverage and low latency to support such innovations.
Modern Network Upgrades
To meet modern demands, many US marinas are refreshing their network infrastructure.
A recent survey actually found that wifi systems are amongst the newest installations at marina properties. Most of them have only just been added or upgraded in the last 5 years.
Upgrades commonly include wifi 6/6E access points that can handle multiple devices at higher speeds, replacing older, outdated 802.11n/ac gear.
Alongside this, they found that a lot of marinas are bringing in fiber-optic or gigabit broadband to feed these access points with suitable internet bandwidth.
Another trend we see is the number of marinas exploring the need for a private 5G network. This has been a common thought for large marinas as they can cover beyond wifi range with limited hardware installation.
Wifi as a Selling Point
Lastly, a quality wifi system at a marina will bring in more revenue. Many boaters even say that connectivity influences their marina loyalty, so the investment pays off in customer loyalty and financial returns.
Generally, wifi will help attract and retain customers. Therefore, despite the initial costs, it could bring in more boaters to your marina, resulting in a direct impact on your total yearly revenue.
Conclusion
In the coming years, marina operators will need to focus on connectivity. Not only for boaters, but also for their own IoT goods.
To ensure that you have quality marina wifi, contact our specialist at Beacon today. We’ll be more than happy to design and install your ideal wifi solution.