Do RVs have WIFI?
When setting off on the road, there are a lot of things RV owners need to keep in mind, not least of which is how to get stable consistent internet connection. Pretty much any RV you have, it is unlikely that it came with a built-in satellite internet or any other form of high-speed internet connection. Reliable internet connection is a necessity in today’s work-from-anywhere environment. When picking your 4G LTE package for RV Internet, there are some key things to evaluate, such as cellular data plans, wifi router, antennas. In this article, we will try to provide some guideposts and hints on how to pick the perfect solution for getting a good internet service for RV Living.
Types of Data Plans
When selecting a data plan, it’s important to first understand what types of LTE plans are available from the top US carriers – AT&T, Verizon, Visible, T-Mobile. When walking into a store, several 4G providers today offer an unlimited plan but it’s important to dig deeper. Especially un-throttled versus throttled data and if the cellular provider offers mobile hotspot plans. Then there are supersim cards like Pronto SIM . A single SIM card that lets customers pick between AT&T, Verizon-Mobile and other major carriers. This provides unparalleled flexibility for RV customers that may be driving between states and facing diminishing service with a single 4G provider.
A good workaround to get almost unlimited data SIM is to pick a tablet pan. AT&T and T-Mobile offer $20/month unlimited cellular data plan for tablets if you have a primary cell phone plan with them. For a router to appear as a tablet, TTL setting needs to be that of a mobile. Pretty much all Pronto routers, especially, specially built for RV router PP14O and Cloud Managed PC14O let you set TTL to anything you like for mobile internet.
With latest Cloud Managed 5G LTE Routers from Pronto, you can be assured of high quality bandwidth and low latency. When closer to a 5G cell tower, you can expect speeds in the range of 200mb – great for uploading videos if you are a blogger or content creator.
Do I need a Cellular Router?
One of things you may be thinking about is if you actually need to invest in a satellite internet, Mobile Hotspot, cellular router or just connect to campground wifi from RV Park when parked. Public wifi like xfinity is another option to get internet access when in range.
Are there any significant benefits between using a Hotspot on your Phone vs a dedicated 4G Router for internet service. If you are looking to have a central source of internet access for a few people in your RV that needs to be resilient, I would recommend a 4G LTE Router. An enterprise LTE router comes with powerful LTE modems and functionality that helps RV users get fast and dedicated internet connectivity over 4G.
Selecting an outdoor 4G LTE Router that has built in 4G Module, helps you catch a better 4G LTE signal compared to indoor models, without need for an external antenna. You can get good internet access in fringe areas with an outdoor unit. You only need to run a single Ethernet cable that supplies power as well as acts as a mechanism to connect any switch for multiple devices. The PP14O router itself provides a powerful 802.11n WIFI signal and can be used to connect wireless laptops, and other devices.
Antennas What are they good for
Antennas are a fun conversation item. Many routers come with small antennas in the box that limits strength of cellular internet signal. In most cases, which may work simply fine for your use case. However, if you find that you need better LTE connectivity, try mounting an external antenna outside the RV. Longer antenna cables end up losing 4G signal if they are too long. However, sometimes, you may have no other option but to mount an external antenna on a telescoping pole or flagpole to get signal from far away towers. LPDA Antennas like shown below can provide good directional coverage when mounted on a tall pole. The indoor version of PP14 router has an antenna connector that can be used to connect such external antennas for better signal.
RV Internet options boil down to your actual needs. Are you using internet service for occasional use or need it for working from your favorite beach, mountain or even when driving? Irrespective a good mobile internet service is going to help you stay connected with friends and family while enjoying the benefits of RV living.