Staying Connected While RV Camping- Internet and Mobile Access on the Road

Many of us have grown accustomed, dare we say, ‘addicted’ to having constant, high-quality WIFI wherever we go. It is a factor of modern life that is unlikely to take a retroactive step; it is sure to keep moving forward and advancing. There is a great deal to be said for having occasional periods of being ‘off the grid’ and remembering what it was like when you were only contactable if you were near a landline telephone. However, some scenarios exist where retaining connectivity is extremely helpful or essential, no matter where we find ourselves in the great Australian wilderness. This article investigates the prevalence of internet and mobile access when taking a road trip into the middle of nowhere, some reasons why it is valid, and how to find it. 

Internet equipment and terminology

Although none of the concepts we will visit is particularly complex to explain, you may come across some bespoke language in your research that is useful to know in advance, including:

• Hotspot/tethering—Different companies use the term hotspot to mean different things, but the accepted version is when a device receives a cellular signal and shares its internet connectivity with other devices, operating as a central hub for data. Once the phone receives the signal via the service provider, it can distribute that connectivity to other devices using Bluetooth capability. All connected devices are then able to connect to the internet.
• Booster—Typically a device to boost connectivity, boosters can enhance a signal and increase internet speeds accordingly.
• Repeater/extender/ranger—These are interchangeable terms for the same concept: devices that enhance the existing WIFI signal, especially if your standard receiver sits too far from the source to receive a satisfactory amount of the emitted signal. 
• Router—The device (usually a box around the size of a paperback book) that receives the external signal and shares it with devices elsewhere.
• Data—The amount of signal you can access is measured in GB (gigabytes), collectively known as data. Typically, you would expect to purchase a contract allowing for a pre-determined amount of data, be it 25GB, 100GB, etc. Once the limit is reached, no further connection will be possible; ideally, an unlimited data package can be acquired, reducing the need to worry about usage. 
• Bandwidth—The maximum amount of internet data transmitted over a set amount of time
• Speed test—The speed of your connection measures your bandwidth and determines how well your streams will run and how fast or slow websites will load. Online speed tests are easy to find and will accurately measure your incoming data capacity. 

Do you need the internet?

Each of us has a relationship with the sprawling behemoth, the World Wide Web. Whether we’re using it to check in with loved ones or pass some downtime with our brains switched to the ‘off’ position, it has revolutionised how we do almost everything and can be a real wrench when it goes away. Those readers old enough to remember the days before the internet are, in many cases, no less entrenched in it than youngsters who grew up during its existence. Yet we can at least remember that there was a time when life existed outdoors, and you could only be found when you wanted to be. For young people, that can never happen, and their reaction to a lack of connectivity may be more extreme and anxiety-driven than we are prepared for. For right or wrong, we have blanketed our lives with high-speed access to the bottomless pool of everything that exists, and taking it away can be a wrench for those who have never had it any other way. 

Some reasons why internet access might be essential on long road trips include:

• Remote work—Not everybody can detach themselves from the outside world and disappear into the far reaches of the Outback. Although shorter trips may be fine without connectivity, most people will need to check in with work in some capacity when undertaking longer excursions. 
• Home/road-schooling children—Likewise, the scenario with children and their studies. Taking children away from their school/studies for short trips may be feasible, but they will need online tuition and monitoring to keep up and fulfil their educational requirements.  
• Phone calls to family members and friends—Although it may not be essential to speak to family and friends if they know you will be un-contactable, it is nice to know you can reach out and check on them whenever you wish. 
• Entertainment—Long nights in the RV seem much longer without streaming services, online games, and the joys of disappearing down an online rabbit hole. The days of sitting with the family around a board game might not be irretrievably lost, but they are on the ‘missing, presumed dead’ list. 
• Emergencies—Flippancy aside, this is the real reason to retain some connectivity with the outside world, even if it is just a telephone signal. Australia is one of the most beautiful, fascinating places on Earth, but it can be perilous. With more deadly, venomous, and tooth-filled creatures than you can shake a stick at and some of the planet's most expansive, remote, and isolated areas, the great outdoors Down Under is no joke. That’s not to mention searing temperatures, potential floods, and wildfires. Like it or not, even those who love the isolation and freedom that RV camping offers need a line back to the outside world if disaster strikes. 

Determine your internet usage

When determining which method to use to stay connected on the road, it is vital to assess your requirements beforehand and go from there. A single person in a van will require much less bandwidth than a family of five, all streaming videos and games. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you only need the internet to check email and Facebook or for emergency calls? 
• Will you work from the RV on the trip? 
• Are video conferences an obligatory element of that work? 
• Do you have kids with you who want to play online games?
• Will you be streaming music and videos? 
• Is there an expectation to make video calls to family and friends? 

posting occasional updates on social media. In this case, you can get by using the free WIFI you find along the way (more of that later). You will need extra gear to stream videos or music to maintain a reliable internet connection and more data to allow for heavier use. 

How is RV WIFI different? 

In terms of using the internet on the road, WIFI in your RV works the same way as anywhere else. Your computer, smartphone, tablet, or other WIFI-enabled device connects to it via Bluetooth, allowing you to browse or stream normally. The difference with RV WIFI is not in the end result but in where the signal comes from. There are two main options for staying connected on the road, but they have certain restrictions and do not apply in remote areas with no signal. We will deal with those later, but for now, the two main options are:

• Using cellular data from a provider
• Joining a local WIFI network 

You will likely use both options during any extended road trip, so let’s examine them in more detail.

Cellular data

Just as your mobile phone can make and receive telephone calls and SMS messages using satellite signals, it can access the internet using that same signal. The signal can enter any phone with a SIM card with credit or a contract with the provider. This article is not designed to help you choose the right service provider, but there are some handy tips later in the article.

Hotspot—When you receive an internet data package through your cell phone provider, it can be shared with other devices through tethering or hotspot (see above)

Things to be aware of:

• The battery of your hotspot device will drain quickly, so be prepared to keep it charged when it is distributing connectivity.
• Data can be used up rapidly when streaming, and if you have multiple devices using the same package, it can be gone in hours. If you plan to work, homeschool, play games, and stream online using one data package, you may need as much as 100GB of monthly data. Unlimited data plans are likely the best option in this case.

A cell phone booster will be convenient if you use cellular data on the road but find the signal lacking and unusable in specific locations. Readily available from any decent electronics store, boosters typically have a directional antenna to discover and enhance existing signals. In most cases, you must move the antenna manually to locate the strongest signal. Higher-priced versions might require you to mount the antenna to the vehicle and run cables, although reports indicate that similar results can be achieved with the cheaper versions.

Local networks

Local WIFI networks are those provided by others at specific locations, usually for the convenience of paying customers and staff. Expect to find free WIFI in a wide range of locations on the road, including:

• Campsites
• Bars and restaurants
• Coffee shops
• Libraries

The great thing about free WIFI is, of course, that it’s free. What’s not so great is that it is often slow and incapable of streaming videos or doing much more than checking emails. Strength and quality vary from place to place, so always ask for the WIFI password if you see the place has it, but don’t expect too much.

A word of caution:

• Public WIFI is often less secure, and you risk being hacked if you do not stay alert. Pay attention to your surroundings at all times and be especially careful in busy locations with many people using laptops and phones. If you join the same network, you make it much easier for them to force their way into your computer’s system and gain access to sensitive information. When using public WIFI, avoid checking your bank balance or accessing any accounts that would leave you vulnerable to criminal activity if breached.

Starlink and other satellite companies

Satellite communication is not a new concept, but Starlink puts a new spin on it by providing internet coverage directly to a receiver you purchase from them. From there, the signal is shared with your devices and no cellular coverage or contract is required. However, a contract with Starlink is needed to gain access, and other considerations must be made, as listed below. For longer trips or those who like to take their RV out frequently into remote areas, Starlink is undoubtedly an interesting proposition. Although coverage can be inconsistent and often slows down in more densely populated areas, it is generally available Australia-wide. It might be a life-saving addition to your vehicle in the country's most remote areas. 

Advantages: 

• Starlink works in areas with no cellular signal
• Internet speeds can be super-fast and are generally reliable in unobstructed locations
• Data is unlimited
• Monthly service plans can be paused
• The service is improving constantly

Disadvantages: 

• The initial investment is costly
• The necessary equipment is bulky
• You will need to attach a satellite dish, router, and cables to your RV, which may require professional assistance or modifications
• The system uses lots of power (60-70 watts)
• Tree-covered areas receive no signal 
• The internet cannot be used while the vehicle is moving, so passengers will be without connectivity when driving
• Priority-level plans are on the expensive side 

We have used Starlink for illustrative purposes, and although they differ, other companies offer similar services and connectivity. Most fall into a similar pattern to the Starlink model but do your homework before choosing and handing over any money. Pay particular attention to reports of connectivity issues and expected coverage. 

Tips to improve your experience

The key to making your high-speed data last longer is to employ some of the following tactics:

• Check app and phone settings to ensure you use the least amount of data possible. Apps set to refresh in the background will pull data to do so, even though it is not essential, and you can check in later and update as you open the app itself. Find the app in General Settings and turn the background refresh off. 
• Turn off cellular data for specific apps. If you have no interest in using some apps during your trip, turn off their data altogether and catch up with them when you have consistent WIFI. 
• Select ‘use less data’ if given the option. Some sites will offer to show you videos and pictures in smaller data versions, or you can manually select lower-resolution video settings in others. 
• Load emails as basic HTML.
• Wait until you have solid local WIFI to download music and videos to be watched later. 
• Do the same for large files, photographs, or videos you wish to upload. 

Final thoughts

Like it or not, the Internet is here to stay, and nobody can argue that it is without its perks and advantages. Even the most zen-like travellers who wish to distance themselves from the wider world and seek solace in solitude may be glad of an internet connection, especially if their van breaks down hundreds of kilometres from the nearest town or settlement. Australia is unlike most other countries, and its unimaginable vastness can be both a blessing and a severe problem. Safety must always come first, and equipping your RV with a decent internet connection is the responsible thing to do. Other lives may be put at risk if you go missing and cannot be contacted, as search parties set out looking for you.

The truth is that you are unlikely to find one solution to cover all your internet requirements, and most successful strategies will include one or more of the following:

• A cellular contract with unlimited data
• Cell phone signal booster
• WIFI extender (for use at campgrounds with weak signals)
• Satellite subscription
• Local WiFi usage

Contact us

The team here at RV Parts Express loves to talk about all aspects of RV life, and we’ve had our fair share of connectivity issues over the years. Please get in touch today with any questions or comments; we will gladly provide additional information about our products. If you have a few moments to spare, why not browse our sensational range of outdoor gear? We have everything from spare parts, tools and gadgets to camping accessories and so much more.