Will you have Wi-Fi and an internet signal while traveling in your RV? This is a real concern when you want to stay connected on the road.
Its nearly impossible to fully disconnect from the world and just go anywhere without using any form of an internet connection. You might want to be a full-time RV traveler, but you’ve got to find a way to make a living along the way. This requires staying connected on the road with the solution that works best for you.
What are you connection needs?
Before you can understand what to buy to give your RV the internet signal you desire, its important to define your needs. The best solution for you could be overkill for someone else and vice versa. This brings us to some important questions that must be answered before you buy any equipment.
How important is internet access to you?
Do you need to be connected to the internet all day long and all the time? Is this your only way to access entertainment, information, and work needs? Do you need reliable access a few times a week? The more you need to be connected, the more equipment and better signal you’ll need.
How many people are connecting at a time?
When you travel on your own, your connection needs are much different from traveling groups. Staying connected on the road will mean something different for a single traveler compared to an entire family working remotely or homeschooling together.
What do you need to do online?
Will you need to participate video conferences? Are you using the internet for online gaming? If either is true, you’ll need a high data solution with streaming to help you meet your needs and demands online.
What is your comfort level with technology?
Do you need a “plug-and-play” setup, or are you comfortable with advanced items that might give you a better overall signal? If you want more advanced equipment, you’ll need the technical background to get the job done.
What are some of the best RV internet options to stay connected?
There are tons of ways for staying connected on the road, but you have to find the solution that works for you. Here are some of the best options and what many RVers have used.
Smartphone hotspot
The simplest connection for you to gain internet and Wi-Fi connectivity without adding any equipment to your RV is through your smartphone. If you don’t have hotspot data built into your phone plan, this is an easy fix and will give you the signal you need to use the internet. The major drawback to this solution is the limited use of the phone’s data plan, which might run out each month.
Mobile Hotspot Device & Routers
Another great option is a dedicated hotspot device or cellular-embedded router. These are stand-alone devices that require their own data plans. This is a good option if you’ll have multiple devices connected to your Wi-Fi connection at the same time. The shared capabilities make this a great solution, but it requires the purchase of a device and data plan.
Satellite internet
Satellite internet options have gotten much better than they used to be and offer a great way of staying connected on the road. Some low earth orbit satellites help deliver high-speed connectivity nearly anywhere on the planet and have made it easy for nomads to get connected and stay connected. These connections rely on a clear line of sight, which makes it difficult to get the connection and signal you want when trees are in the way. You get fast internet services with these connections, but it’s expensive.
Public Wi-Fi from campgrounds
This could be a great solution for anyone traveling alone. When you arrive at your next campground, you can simply connect to the location’s Wi-Fi service and use the cheap, often free, internet service that’s available to you. The connection is often slow and can be congested, which might make it hard to enjoy in some locations. You might want to have your own backup plan, but if that plan is your smartphone hotspot, the campground Wi-Fi could be great when it works for you.
If staying connected on the road is a real concern for you during your RV travels, these are some great options that could work for you. If you’re going to be on the road full-time, you might look into the most robust solutions, but some will work well for occasional trips in your RV.
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