How caravan parks and campgrounds can improve cellular coverage

Beyond the stunning landscapes and breathtaking wildlife, South Africa's caravan parks offer much more than scenic landscapes and wildlife - they’re also a haven for adventure seekers with modern connectivity. In today's digital age, reliable cellular reception is not a luxury but a necessity, even in remote locations. As a caravan park owner or manager, you may wonder how to provide your guests with seamless connectivity. Fortunately, Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) offers an effective solution to boost cell service throughout key areas of your campground, whether located near a bustling highway or nestled in the serene wilderness.

Why Is Cellular Coverage Important for Caravan Parks?

Connectivity is no longer a luxury - it’s a necessity. Visitors to caravan parks expect reliable cellular signal to stay in touch with family, navigate maps, or share their experiences on social media. For park owners, poor cell signal can lead to negative reviews and reduced bookings.

Improving mobile reception ensures better communication, safer environments for guests, and even the potential for new revenue streams like WiFi access packages.

Caravan parks often experience poor cellular coverage due to several reasons, including the distance from cell towers, the surrounding terrain like mountains, hills, and trees, and building materials. Depending on your park's location, you might be affected by one or all of these factors. But don't worry, a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) can help you overcome these challenges.

What is a DAS?

A Distributed Antenna System (DAS) uses signal amplifiers and strategically placed antennas to improve cellular coverage in large areas. There are both indoor and outdoor DAS solutions, making it versatile for different applications in your park. Two options suitable for caravan parks are:

1. Cellular Signal Boosters (Passive DAS)

To enhance cell service inside indoor spaces such as common areas, offices, restaurants, or cabins, a cell signal booster is ideal. These devices use exterior cellular antennas that capture the strongest signal available from distant cell towers. The signal is then relayed to the amplifier through professional-grade coaxial cable, bypassing any building materials that may weaken or block incoming cell signal. The amplifier significantly boosts the signal and sends it to the indoor antenna(s) for broadcasting.

These boosters take advantage of the building's walls to further help the signal bounce around, making them unsuitable for outdoor use. With the amplified signal, your customers can enjoy seamless connectivity while staying in their cabins, playing in the game room, washing clothes, or enjoying the pool house.

Additionally, a reliable cell signal allows for better communication between staff members, improving park management and productivity. To further enhance the customer experience, consider investing in multiple caravan signal boosters to rent out to customers, allowing them to enjoy quality signal right in their caravan. This could result in more traffic as many campers prefer staying in parks with good cell phone reception. However, it's essential to note that an existing outside signal is required for all booster systems to function effectively, even if it's weak.

Key Benefits:

• Seamless connectivity in cabins, laundry rooms, offices, and recreational areas.
• Improved communication between staff for better park management.
• Rentable signal boosters for guests to enhance signal directly in their caravans, offering an extra amenity.

However, these boosters require some outside signal, even if weak, to function properly.

2. Outdoor Active DAS

For broad coverage across outdoor areas such as caravan sites and tent spaces, an Outdoor Active DAS systems are specifically designed for outdoor use and can provide superior coverage to every caravan and tent site in your campground, ensuring your customers can enjoy reliable cellular connectivity. However, it's worth noting that these systems can be a lot more expensive compared to passive DAS. Installation can also take longer due to the complexity of the system.

These systems connect directly to the cellular network, providing stronger coverage across larger areas. Active DAS systems are more complex and expensive but are capable of boosting multiple network carriers and maintaining signal strength over longer distances.

Considerations:

• Active DAS systems need one amplifier per carrier (Vodacom, MTN, etc.).
• Installation can take longer due to the complexity of the system.
• Network operator approval may take up to six months but ensures robust coverage across your park.

Once installed, an Outdoor Active DAS can create a seamless experience for campers, allowing them to enjoy reliable service for streaming, working remotely, or staying connected while exploring nature.

Benefits of Better Cellular Coverage in Caravan Parks & Campgrounds

Having reliable cellular coverage provides multiple benefits for both guests and park owners:

Safety

Emergencies can happen, and having dependable cellular reception allows for quick communication with first responders during medical or vehicle emergencies.

Better Reviews

Good cellular connectivity is a top priority for many campers. Meeting this need can lead to outstanding reviews, which attract more guests to your park.

Extended Stays

A strong, reliable cellular network enhances customer satisfaction and improves occupancy rates, making the investment in cellular boosters or DAS worthwhile.

Higher Return on Investment

With more people interested in staying at your park, and some staying for more extended periods, your investment in cellular connectivity will pay for itself, and your business will become more profitable.

Improved IoT Management

If your park has any IoT applications, such as vending machines, ATMs, credit card-operated laundry machines, or smart sensors on hookups, a quality cellular router with a robust internet connection is critical. Reliable signal strength ensures that all applications run smoothly without interruptions.

A dependable cellular signal can relieve congestion from the Wi-Fi network, leading to faster data transmission for all IoT applications. Additionally, IoT signal boosters can guarantee that any machinery reliant on these connections receives a constant signal for real-time data transfer and monitoring.

Is WiFi enough?

While WiFi is a great amenity to offer, it has its limitations. WiFi routers operating on the 2.4 GHz frequency can reach up to 90m outdoors, depending on the model and manufacturer, while routers operating on the 5 GHz band provide faster speeds but with a shorter range. Obstructions such as trees, buildings, and caravans can weaken the WiFi signal, reducing the range. Even with multiple transmitters, a WiFi network may not be strong enough to provide reliable coverage throughout a park or campground. Additionally, WiFi networks have less capacity than cellular networks and can easily become overloaded when multiple devices are connected, resulting in reduced speeds for all connected devices. Many campers prefer a consistent cellular connection because it is more reliable, faster, and secure. Distributed antenna systems such as Outdoor DAS or signal boosters can work alongside WiFi networks, offloading congestion and providing a backup network in case of internet outages.

Best Signal Boosters for Caravan Parks & Campgrounds

For Caravans: WilsonPro Single Room Signal Booster Kit

• Affordable cell phone reception - where it is needed most
• Amplifier with up to +70 dB of gain.
• Coverage for all mobile networks, across multiple devices
• Improves 2G, 3G and 4G LTE signal
• Available with broadcasting Desktop or Panel Antenna.
• Needs no WiFi connection or monthly fees. One time purchase.

As expected, the WilsonPro Single Room Signal Booster Kit is specifically designed to provide coverage in the most crucial areas of your caravan. This cost-effective and flexible solution is capable of significantly enhancing your cellular signal inside your caravan. Furthermore, when paired with a vehicle expansion kit, it can also serve as a reliable signal booster for your car. With this versatile product, you can ensure that you have a stable and strong cellular connection regardless of your location. 

For Campground Facilities: WilsonPro A1000 Signal Booster Kit

• Boosts all networks, including MTN, Cell C, Vodacom, and select Telkom bands.
• Up to 74 dB gain, perfect for larger areas like restaurants, offices, and games rooms.
• Easy to install, with reliable performance for guests and staff alike.

For Vehicles: weBoost Drive AM100-Pro Signal Booster Kit

• Boosts signal in cars, SUVs, and bakkies, providing up to four devices with strong cellular service.
• Works with MTN, Vodacom, Cell C, and selected Telkom bands.
• Ideal for boosting signal on remote roads during your caravan travels.

The weBoost AM100-Pro Drive is a versatile tri-band cellular repeater designed specifically for vehicles in South Africa. Whether you're driving a car, SUV, bakkie or boat this mobile repeater has got you covered. With a range of options available, you can choose from a hardwire or AC power supply, and use an OTR antenna for trucks or an inside antenna for boats. What's more, it can boost up to four cellular devices simultaneously and has a high uplink power, ensuring reliable signal even on the most remote roads.

How Bolton Technical Can Help You

At Bolton Technical is a leading provider of signal boosters in South Africa. Whether you’re looking to enhance coverage in a caravan, campground, or vehicle, we offer tailored solutions for every need. 

With our expertise in installing WilsonPro and weBoost systems, we’ve helped numerous parks across South Africa improve their mobile reception, offering seamless, reliable communication for both guests and staff.

• Free consultation (ask us anything) with our South African-based customer support. Email us or Call us today.
• Free shipping over R750 to Major South African cities. Usually ships same day.
• 30-day money back guarantee. You want to make sure you're satisfied.
• 2-year manufacturer warranty on signal boosters

Improving cellular coverage in South African caravan parks is no longer just an option – it’s a necessity for staying competitive in the tourism industry. By leveraging Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) or signal boosters, park operators can ensure their guests stay connected while enjoying the beauty of nature.

Ready to boost your caravan park’s cellular coverage? Contact Bolton Technical today to discuss the right DAS or signal booster solution for your park.