Internet access has become a prominent challenge for people who own RVs. With that in mind, let us consider how you should approach the problem and the various solutions available to you.
How Will You Use the Internet?
The first step is assessing how you access the internet and when you want to be able to access it. Do you need full access while on the road? Is your cell phone good enough while on the road? If so, then you may be able to get by using public Wi-Fi—such as at a local McDonalds—and using the Wi-Fi at the campground or other sites where you park your vehicle. But be mindful that such hotspots are limited. They are generally fine for email and surfing but come up short for binging Netflix and other top streaming services.
Staying Connected While Boondocking
Boondocking is RVing without the services and other amenities that you expect at RV-oriented sites. You will not have access to a public Wi-Fi hotspot. Most people will have to use their cell phone service as a Wi-Fi hotspot. That works well enough, but you have to be acutely aware of the limitations, such as how much data you have available and what penalties should you go over. The alternative is to have satellite internet service. This was once cost-prohibitive for many RV enthusiasts.
But satellite internet continues to become more affordable, and RVers will soon have the option of Starlink. RV-specific satellite dishes are still undergoing beta testing as of this writing, but within a year or two, RV enthusiasts could have a satellite internet option that costs about $500 upfront and $100 a month for about 100 Mbps. That is not only less expensive than RV Internet satellite has traditionally been, but the service is well beyond what RVers were usually able to enjoy via satellite.
Common Wi-Fi Solutions When RVing
Starlink will be an excellent investment for the person who RVs all the time. It can also be an excellent investment for the person who RVs sometimes but will use Starlink at home as well. For everyone else, it may be too much of a commitment still. The common solution now and for the foreseeable future is to use cellular data and to offset that usage with public Wi-Fi whenever possible. Monitor your internet usage and upgrade your cellular plan to let you use the internet comfortably. There is nothing wrong with limitations and avoiding paying for too much, but constantly worrying about a data cap is no fun.
Cellular data gives you access as long as you are within the range of a cell tower. This is true when boondocking as well. You will need to be aware of cell tower locations, but there are numerous resources online that simplify this task. You may also need to expand your Wi-Fi hotspot coverage so that you can access your internet conveniently. For less than a $100 investment, you can get a cell phone booster that provides you better access to local cell towers and a Wi-Fi booster that provides a stronger signal and more coverage.
Staying Connected Anywhere
An unlimited data plan is strongly recommended for anyone who RVs a lot. All of the major companies like AT&T and Verizon offer an unlimited plan. Invest in a cell phone signal booster, a good Wi-Fi router, and a Wi-Fi extender. Set your phone to take advantage of public Wi-Fi whenever available. You can manually set it to your personal plan when watching videos, online shopping, and so forth.
