I sent this message to be raised at the next fans forum:

I'd be grateful if at the next fans forum meeting you would raise the matter of wifi access in the ground.
With so many fans using 3G or 4G phones & other mobile devices I think that the club should provide free wifi access throughout the stadium.
It will enhance the spectator experience at little or no cost to the club & could even be used by the club to interact with fans during games or other events.
For example use it to allow fans to vote for man of the match.
As Leeds Rugby is a leader in the use of social media I think this would further show the club in a good light.
I hope that you can support this request.

I'd be interested to know if this has any support on here that may encourage the club to do as I have requested.

If you can't be without the internet for 80 odd minutes somethings up. You're there to watch the game.

For those of us who arrive in plenty of time & don't have to refuel at half time there are plenty of occasions outwith the action when access would be useful.
Plus the club could use wifi before, during & after the game to interact with fans. Broadcasting instant replays in addition to using the big screen for instance.
It would be even more useful to me to have full stadium accessibility when I'm at Headingley watching the cricket.

I'm not sure it would be little or no cost. To cover 15,000+ potential users is a pretty big ask IMO, not to mention hardware costs

If you have 3g or 4g phones why not just use your providers network?

People spend too much time with their nose glued to the phone as it is. There's 14,000 people there and you can't find 1 person to talk to?

Everywhere should have free wi-fi, it should be a law.

It would only cost the club a few K to implement and could be a an enhanced selling point as part of the match day experience.

Couple of seasons ago there was a Wi-Fi Network that we could connect too, especially from the South Stand.
Haven't seen that for a while.

Precisely. Internet it killing human communication. I'll be wearing a Clash jacket, if anyone wants a chat, say hello

Indifferent. Don't bother with my phone unless I'm working.

Irony.

You should be watching what's on the pitch not on a little device in your hand

Only reason I use my phone at the rugby is to check other results. I'd much prefer to have the results on a scrolling bar at the top/bottom of the screen.

Mine works OK can't see what the problem is - it would be a it odd in having modern communications in a 1930's stadum!!

Perhaps he money would be better spent on putting appropriate seating in the north stand and recyclng Thomas Chippendale's finest.

I've had a reply from the club that should satisfy most of you on here.
It is too expensive to cover the whole stadium, though what that cost is hasn't been given.
I did then ask if certain areas eg the Carnegie Bar, Sports Bar or Long Room Bar could be made into free wi-fi zones. I've yet to receive an answer to that.
I have a 4G phone but find it impossible to get the internet in the ground.
Of course that may be because I'm an old fogey & not totally au fait with how to get connected.

FWIW I can never get any internet connection in HQ when I attempt to connect to my own mobile internet, despite getting full phone signal. The SS must be made of some old-fashioned, internet-repelling metal that lets no connectivity permeate through.

Also, the irony of people deriding the use of the internet rather than communicating face-to-face with their fellow fans is not lost on me, on this internet fans' forum! Are we going to make this a 'all meet up and have a chinwag face-to-face several times a year' group?

I wonder if so, if everyone would just be trying to connect to the internet on their phones as they would be unsure what to say to each other!

It's not just the SS - when I'm on the Western Terrace my phone says it has a full 4G signal but doesn't connect. This happens at most grounds or when there's several hundred people in the same place, all with smart phones trying to access the internet. Try and get on the internet with your phone anywhere in central London, I'll be surprised if you can.

Mobile technology is nowhere near the level of sophistication that our network operators will have us believe, that's why wi-fi should be provided. As I said, it should be part of Leeds Rugby's operating licence that on match days they need to provide free wi-fi.

I probably sit more on the side of 'talk to the person physically beside you, rather than send a Facebook message to someone who isn't there' whilst in the stadium. So despite my complaint, I actually think the current situation is the least worst of the two options. It does remind me of this last year though... www.theguardian.com/football/201 ... ifi-access Wonder if the PSV fans will do a second-hand deal to Leeds Rhinos fans on their banner, if there is enough support for it..?

I probably sit more on the side of 'talk to the person physically beside you, rather than send a Facebook message to someone who isn't there' whilst in the stadium. So despite my complaint, I actually think the current situation is the least worst of the two options. It does remind me of this last year though... www.theguardian.com/football/201 ... ifi-access Wonder if the PSV fans will do a second-hand deal to Leeds Rhinos fans on their banner, if there is enough support for it..?

The need for tinder is strong for some.

Is Tinder the one people use generally to meet others nearby for 'casual fun'?

When I went to the Wigan game last season on the supporters' bus there were a group of about 4 teenage lads (about 15-16) that had somehow used whatever app it is to arrange meeting some young, female Wigan fans at the game. I'm not sure exactly what they did (Did they all watch the game sat together, or drink fizzy pop and eat monster munch outside..?) They seemed to be using the game as a bit of a ruse to meet and spend time with random girls, anyway.

Unless that is another app..? Clearly I have no idea what actually goes on at the rugby - I am too naive!

I am now informed by the club that there are no plans to make free wi-fi available even on a partial basis.
It's all or nothing. so for the time being it will be nothing.
It would still be interesting to have some info on the costs though.
It is more needed on the cricket side where people may be there for up to 8/9 hours a day.
The internet is far less intrusive than people talking on their phones.
Although filling in the gaps when you only hear half the conversation can be very diverting.
It can also be extremely annoying.

I'd presume some form of Monster Munch was adopted.

Good idea. We need to set up a cake rota.

who said cake?!

It costs more than some people may think to implement a Wireless Solution to cover an area that size. Then there's the Bandwidth Costs and Legal concerns. The ROI would be Zero.