Traveling in an RV can be adventurous and even cost-savvy. But like many things, there are always pros and cons. A huge barrier is getting a steady and reliable internet source. My family and I rely on the internet for many things whether it be checking email, paying bills, research, communication, blogging, etc. Although smart phones have brought society many freedoms with the internet, it is not the most efficient way to do these things due to high data cost and the lack of a keyboard. So how can a person always on the move get a reliable source for internet? Let's look at our options:
Local Wifi Hot Spots: It seems like there is wifi available nearly everywhere you go. There is wifi available at many locations on the road. To list a few guaranteed ones:
- Nearly all coffee shop including Starbucks and Caribou
- McDonalds
- Public Libraries
- Barnes & Noble
These places can come in handy but since these are public places, the connection can be insecure. Although unlikely, personal data could be viewed or even hacked into more easily. Also, using these services requires physically going inside and if at a cafe or restaurant, you should probably buy a cup of coffee or Big Mac. Many RV campsites offer wifi service at an extra cost, but these networks can also be insecure and unreliable. Wifi hot spots are commonly used because it decreases data usage from cellular carriers and are usually free, but unfortunately, you cannot take the wifi on the road.
Satellite Internet: At first glance, a satellite seems like a great idea. Take your internet anywhere. In places like the Rocky Mountains, even cell phone signal is hard to find, satellite will be there for you. But the satellite equipment can be difficult to set up and one must be technically-inclined to be able to figure out all the complications. They are also extremely expensive. Expect to pay around $6000 and also a monthly fee. There is a cheaper option but that involves having a manual satellite which requires setting it up every time and aligning to the perfect direction. Another setback is the internet speed is slower than DSL which would mean laggy video play-back and limited users. By personal research, buying and setting up an internet satellite seems cumbersome because it is not very common meaning there are less experts in the field. It is still a good option and many vagabonds find the price to be worth it.
MiFi Hotspot: Using your phone carrier, you can also purchase a device that creates its own wifi to connect to your laptop, cell phone, or even game system. This internet is pricey since you have to get a data plan but it allows extremely fast 4G<E connection. The two main devices I found were the Verizon Ellipsis JetPack and the AT&T Liberate. The Jetpack has two versions, one is $0.99 and the pro is $49.99 with a 2-year contract. The AT&T Liberate is $29.99 with a 2-year contract. For both of these, the prices may vary depending on location. Although these are both great options, the data plan is pricey and it comes with the uncomfortable feeling of limited internet meaning you have to calculate how much data you use. On an unlimited data plan, I could easily use 20GB of data in one month watching movies, browsing Facebook, and uploading pictures. But though a MiFi, prices range from $40/month for only 6GB of data to $335/moth for 50GB. With a family and many internet users, you would have be extra careful how much data is being used. Although MiFi seems the most convenient, it is definitely very pricy and brings the anxieties of limited usage.
We are known as the communication generation. It has become normal to see people crouched over and poking at a piece of glass for hours. Everyday people rely on the internet for business, social media, and entertainment. The world would not function as smoothly as it does without the internet because big corporations including the internet, use it as a main tool. And for the common traveller, it can be a difficult task to stay connected. If you are a fellow vagabond who wants to keep tweeting, write on someone's wall, or filter pictures on instagram, I hope this article came of some use.
