Get WiFi on Your RV

Whether you’re a road warrior who spends months at a time in your RV, or you just take a few trips with it a year, having WiFi while you’re on the road is something you’ll want to consider.

Having WiFi on your RV will allow you to feel more at home and comfortable on the road, since you’ll be able to stay in touch with loved ones and stay connected in today’s digital world. In addition, you’re able to keep up with your work. These days traveling doesn’t have to mean roughing it, and there are several ways to stay connected and online no matter where you are on or off the road.

Options for WiFi on Your RV

There are several ways you can harness technology to give yourself an internet connection in your RV. The best choice for you will depend on several factors, including how remote the areas are where you travel, how often you travel, how much data you use when you’re online, and your budget.

Cell Phone Hotspot

Using your cellphone as a hotspot for internet access is the easiest way to access the internet while you’re traveling. Some cell phone plans allow you to use your cell phone as a hotspot as part of your existing plan, though there may be an additional charge. You also will want to be sure to understand the cost for data on your plan when using a hotspot. It can be very easy to use your entire data allotment in a very short time when using your phone as a hotspot, especially if you’re streaming any content. The hotspot functions will be determined by your phone and your service provider, so you’ll want to research how it works on your plan to make your decision.

If you’re using your cell phone as a hotspot for your internet connection, you might want to consider installing a cell phone signal booster in your RV. A cellular signal booster improves weak cellular signals to improve data transfer speeds and improve call quality, which will be important if you’re relying on your cell phone to stay connected while traveling in remote places that are a good distance from the nearest cell phone tower. There are several signal boosters designed specifically for RVs.

Mobile Hotspot

A mobile hotspot also provides internet through a cellular network, but instead of going through your cell phone, you use a separate device. You’ll pay a monthly fee to use the service, just like with your cell phone, but using a mobile hotspot means you don’t have to tie up your phone or use your phone’s battery when using the internet. If you have a hotspot, but are struggling with slow data speeds, you can also get a mobile hotspot booster to improve the cell signal to your hotspot. This solution will also allow you to stay connected anywhere you can access a cellular signal.

Campsite Internet

If you do most of your camping at RV sites and campgrounds, you might be able to use their internet, instead of paying for your own. Many sites offer wifi as part of the fee to stay. The downsides to this approach are that you won’t have internet access when you aren’t at a campground or other location that offers it, and you can’t be sure of the speed, reliability, or security of the service being offered. If you do decide to use campsite internet, you might decide to invest in a wifi extender antenna to improve connection strength to wifi networks.

Satellite Internet

If you spend a lot of time in your RV and you’re looking for a more permanent solution, you might consider having satellite internet installed in your RV. This is the most expensive solution, as it requires equipment installation in addition to the monthly cost of service. You’ll have to set-up service with a provider and pay a monthly fee, in addition to the initial set-up costs. Satellite internet in your RV means you’ll have internet access that isn’t based on cellular signals and you’ll be able to use it in more remote areas without relying on your cell phone. Not only that, but this tends to be significantly slower than typical WiFi. However, if you frequently travel to extremely remote places and need to stay connected, this is your best bet.

Traveling in your RV doesn’t mean you have to disconnect completely from the world, if you don’t want to. There are a variety of ways technology can keep you connected while you’re on the road.

Wilson Amplifiers is the leading provider of cell phone signal boosters. Cell phone boosters amplify cellular for any phone with any carrier for home, office, or vehicle.