That's a good possibility. I was surprised how many WiFi routers an iPad could see in rural Nebraska at 1000-1500 feet AGL.
That’s one heck of a WiFi router to be picked up 1/4 mile away. Most are not usable 150 ft from the source.
I would normally agree, but I saw several of them! Another possibility is some cache wasn't cleared and I confused it with real-time data.
We use Spectrum for our cellular and internet. When we’re out and about and near someone else’s router, if they’re using either Spectrum or some other “partner” provider, we’ll automatically get logged into “Spectrum mobile” or some similar name if the WiFi is on. I wonder if that’s what’s happening for you, as you fly over a city, stadium, AirVenture, or someone else pumping out higher-powered WiFi.
Where I was flying, it would need to be several people with the last option. Unless "city" means a thousand people or less.
We’ve camped at Hovenweep National Monument, which is way off the grid, and to our surprise they had WiFi broadcasting all over the campground. I suspect the NPs/NMs now all have WiFi piped to them somehow for firefighting support, etc. There’s also truck stops, city parks (especially in rural areas), etc.
Interesting.
