If you have the proper equipment and setup, then an internet connection when you’re on the road in your RV shouldn’t be an issue. You’ll be able to work while you’re set up at a campground, and your passengers can enjoy watching movies or searching online while you’re on the road. The first thing to figure out is what RV Wi-Fi is and what you can do while in your vehicle. The connection is similar to what you would have at home and can be used with a computer, phone, and other devices. The difference is that you’re going to get the signal from a satellite instead of a cable connection. When connecting to Wi-Fi, you can do so through a service provided by your mobile provider or from a local network where you stop.
Ways Internet is Used
Think about why you might need to use the internet while you’re traveling in your RV. If your children are still in school, then they might need to complete assignments while you’re on the road. You might need to do a little work for the office while you’re away from home. Children could want to play games in their free time or when they’re bored if you have a long trip planned. If you park at a large campground, then the signal that’s provided is usually strong enough to connect to in order to use the internet. If you want to watch movies or play games, then you might want to consider adding a little more equipment so that you have a better signal and a faster connection.
Campground Connections
Private and public RV parks usually have Wi-Fi that you can use, but it’s usually overwhelmed by other people using it during the day as well. This can result in slower speeds. All of the metal in the park can sometimes interfere with the signal as well. If the park is in a rural area, then the connection might be DSL or satellite internet. This type of connection usually isn’t great before other people start using the service. An extender or a repeater is an option to consider so that the signal that you do get from the campground is enhanced for your needs.
Boondocking
If you plan on boondocking, then you might need to settle for using the internet service offered by your mobile provider. This can allow you to perform basic tasks, such as checking your email or sending a quick message, but you likely won’t be able to play games or search extensively online. You can look on websites like Coverage to see how well the connection is before making a decision to stay in one area. Try to find an area while boondocking that has at least two bars so that you can do what you need.
Common Terms
There are a few common terms to know when you’re in your RV and using Wi-Fi. A speed test is something that you want to conduct to check upload and download speeds. You’re going to want about 5 Mbps if you want to stream while 1 Mbps is usually sufficient for checking your email. A hotspot is usually what’s provided by your mobile company. You can turn it on to access the internet signal from a network tower. A repeater or extender is beneficial to have as it can enhance and stretch the signal that you have while on the road.
