You can get Internet access in your Rv from Mobile hotspot, cellular hotspot devices with dedicated internet plans, and satellite internet are the prominent ones.
What Are The Internet Options For RVers?
You can choose between three methods of the internet. Mobile hotspot, modem or satellite internet. Among these modems are best for RVers who live their life mostly on the road. But satellites are great for RVing in remote locations which are out of reach of standard internet providers.
But which option is the best for you? That depends on how much traveling you do, how much data-heavy work you do, and whether the places you visit are remote or not. I will now explain these options in further detail with their pros and cons.
Mobile Hotspot
A mobile hotspot is the most obvious and easy option you can have. Use your smartphone as a hotspot device which becomes like a router and connect all your devices through it. Just buy some cellular data from your cell phone plans.
If you just want to send some photos or emails then buy regular data. But if you want to work online or want to stream movies and stuff then I would recommend you go for the unlimited plans.
A downside is that the internet speed can be slow which depends on the phone and the provider that you are using. So, go for the mobile hotspot! It can drain your charge a bit faster but is quite cost-effective!
Pros
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Very convenient
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No need to carry extra devices
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Great for occasional usage
Cons
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Weakest of the three methods
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Connecting multiple devices can be problematic
Modems
Instead of your phone, the device is specifically built to be connected with other devices. So, you don’t have to waste cellular data on your phone and buy bulks of data.
These routers are pretty slick and provide good coverage. You can have a few range issues if you are outside of your RV. Just get an extender for that.
As mentioned before these routers are also provided by companies like AT&T, Verizon, and Nomad. The devices come with their internet plans at a starting price of 100$ to 200$.
Something to remember is that these networks work as long as there are sufficient towers available of the providers you are subscribing to. Otherwise, no matter how close you are to your router, you won’t have the internet. That’s why make sure to research your service provider and check how much geographical location they cover.
So, if you want to stream movies in 1080p, play online games or just have high speed (50 Mbps- 1 Gbps), then opt for a modem. They are sure to make your internet-related stuff much more fun and easier!
Pros
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Impressive speed
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Ping will be stable most of the time
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A wide variety of unlimited data plans
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Ultra-fast speed
Cons
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Geographical coverage is limited
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Can be a bit unreliable
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Has some security issues
Satellite Internet
Satellite internet is big dishes or domes which are mounted on top of your RV. If you like to travel a lot, especially in remote areas then satellite internet is for you. Remote areas do not have good internet towers nearby for those mobile hotspot or modems.
But these babies can cover a huge area of about thousands of kilometers. Just make sure you have clear weather to pull your dishes up.
Pros
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Outstanding geographical coverage
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Alright speed
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Good portability for your RV
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Very Reliable in unexpected situations
Cons
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Cannot reach deep areas
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Speed is still quite limited (50 to 100 Mbps)
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No unlimited data plans
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Dual-stream speed makes it quite slow sometimes
How Much Does Satellite Internet Cost?
Right from the get-go, I need to tell you that these services and devices can be costly. To put up a satellite internet you mainly need:
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Satellite dish
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Satellite router
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Well suited internet provider
On average satellite internet can cost 500 to 600 dollars excluding installation charges which could be 150 dollars more. Maintenance can round up to 50 to 100 dollars a month. The monthly internet payment from compatible ISPs can be 30 dollars all the way up to 150 dollars.
But these prices can go higher. A satellite device from Mobil Satellite Technologies can cost more than 6000$. Monthly internet charges can be 50 to 60 dollars. In short, the prices can be crazy, and the more you spend, the better the speed and coverage.
Satellite Vs Modem
If you don’t plan on travelling to remote locations then the modem is the best choice mainly due to its cost effectiveness. The satellite is pretty costly. But for extreme adventurers, it is a necessity.
The modem has great providers, internet plans, and great economical value. The speed is amazing and it has decent coverage especially in the places you would normally go for traveling.
The problem of the satellite is the dual-stream speed. This feature of satellite internet has certain upstream and downstream speeds. Downstream speeds control how fast pages download and upstream speeds determine how fast data is uploaded to various websites to the user.
Due to the satellite being thousands of miles away from the planet this delay can sometimes greatly hinder your daily internet activities. Movies in 1080p become difficult to watch and playing online is almost impossible. The cost is also way high compared to modems.
As a result of the above speculations, if you want your money’s worth, you should buy a decent modem and enjoy your RV life to the fullest! That should be enough for the average RV traveler.
You can and the options are mobile hotspot, satellite internet and, hotspot routers. If you want to have a quick connection then just create a hotspot from your phone. If you like to go boondocking then the satellite internet is optimal. Also try wifi.
But the most reliable and cost-effective option would be the hotspot devices provided by different companies that have good coverage and awesome speed.
