Mobile Internet

[Rzorbcksfan]

I am considering a semi retirement at the end of the year. We intend then to take our camper and do some cross country camping. I will need to be able to work remotley a couple days a week. This will require a reliable and secure internet connection. Do any of you have any suggestions on a mobile internet source? Something that is reliable and easy to set up at any campground?

 

[Kim Gass]

Starlink.

We do not have it but camp in a couple of campgrounds in the backwoods with no cell service and only satellite internet allows them to stay in business.

Maybe you will be in more populated areas where more inexpensive providers exist.

We just go without as we are not dependent on internet for work.

 

[shaneh71]

Agree, if you want reliable go with Starlink as long as you normally have a view of the sky and not deep in a wooded area. It does come with a hefty equipment and monthly service cost though. We have an AT&T 5g mobile hotspot that works well as long as you are in a cell service area.

 

[Jerry713]

I would recommend having Starlink as well as another mobile internet service like T Mobile or AT&T. T Mobile has a pretty solid coverage area and they claim no throttling for 50 bucks a month.

 

[Taftcoach]

For critical applications you will need redundancy. Starlink offers remote service but users have reported not being able to connect.

You may want to consider adjusting your schedule to be near public access points on the days you have to work. Perhaps libraries or commercial RV parks near your cellular hotspot.

 

[RogerR]

I have used the TMobile internet device plan $50 bucks, no contract or other fees. But have found some campgrounds in Colorado, Utah, that have no signal for phone or internet. If you are in sight of an Interstate or near a big town you usually have internet.

 

[Rodney27505]

x2 on Starlink and a redundant connection. Not cheap but we are full time and I still have to connect 5 days a week for work.

Highly recommend this site for research and buying

https://mobilemusthave.com/

 

[pconroy]

x3 on Starlink with a cellphone hotspot as backup.

So far, Starlink has not let me down. It's always connected.

When they say a "Clear View of the Northern Sky", they mean a clear view for no dropouts. If you can live with a few/several second outage a couple of times during the day or hour, you can live with a semi-obstructed view.


The price, on the other hand, is really tough to swallow.

 

[piperinv]

We run starlink, 5g celullar hotspot, and cell phone repeater for the cell phones and hotstop. With this configuration, I have always had connection, bit it is nor cheap to have multiple connections. I have been happy with my Verizon unlimited 5g plan but t-moblie's plan is cheaper. My Verizon plan is 3 times thes cost but it is considered a mobile plan, not a residential plan, and I used it for business travel also. Hope this helps.

 

[CAG-JAY]

Starlink and I have had no problems connecting.

 

[bill3kirk-JAY]

Agree. Starlink.

 

[Camp CA]

We purchased a T-Mobile $50 home internet kit with unlimted internet for $55 a month and can be stopped and started anytime. We also have our AT&T mobile phone hot spots and. Both work well for us since we generally camp where there is good reception/service. If the reception/service is limited or unavailable then Starlink would be our next choice.

Similar question on this recent thread: https://www.irv2.com/forums/f53/whic...ce-635902.html

 

[bill3kirk-JAY]

We are in Carbondale, CO (the mountains about 32 miles from Aspen) and split winter time between Wilmington, NC and Florida. We had Verizon and switched to T-Mobile based purely on the sales hipe of savings. It was absolutely terrible in Colorado and Wilmington but ok in Florida. We switched back to Verizon for phone service but we use Starlink for 99% of our Internet usage.

 

[citgodan]

Agree with starlink. I have property that is out in the sticks in GA.

On a great day you MAY be able to make a call, but expect to be dropped with
my cell coverage.

Starlink was $700 upfront for the router and dish, but very easy to setup and take down. so far, has been very reliable. speeds for me was about 75mbps down and 15 mbps up.

Also agreed need a pretty clear sky to the north

 

[waynehead99]

We use T-Mobile Home Internet as well... it works great if you are in an area that has cell service (much better than a hotspot from T-Mobile).

Word of caution about it though, they have changed their terms of service and for new service they will be starting to charge 60/month (if they haven't already)... and they will be throttling now after 1.2Tb. This news came out earlier this week.

All of us that have already had service setup with them prior are grandfathered in... for now.

 

[bmanz]

Cheaper Option

https://instyconnect.com/
I use this and only costs $20 more a month on my cellphone bill

 

[david a judd]

We have the RV version of Starlink. It’s a little spendy at $150 a month, but we use it at home, in the RV and at our house in Willliams. Works great in all locations. I created a flagpole mount for the dish that goes in the receiver hitch to keep the dish off the ground.

 

[Armin]

Starlink worked for me flawlessly in 2 continents.
USA: Never had a drop out longer then 1.7 seconds.
Australia: Never had a drop out longer then 0.5 seconds.
You can see the statistics in the app - very good solution even for a gamer.

 

[TomC_AZ]

@Rzorbcksfan

You don't mention who you have for cellular service?

With that said a couple of suggestions as someone who also works from home and remote while out in the RV.

1. Join FMCA, they now offer hotspot service from all three carriers and with plans that are cheaper than you can get directly through the carriers or other third parties. If you get their ATT and/or TMobile service you can also move the SIM to your own device like a Insty Connect or Pepwave etc.. These will give you the BEST cell reception and sending abilities period. If there is a signal either of these two will get through. Both TMobile and ATT through them is $60ish and unlimited data (can be throttled though in congested areas, thus using multiple carriers).

2. Starlink, when combined with either of the two mentioned devices above you can also join/combine the starlink service to your cellular so you can be assured of having some signal.

I have used Tmobile through out the US and believe it had/has better service than we received using Verizon. I have also used ATT during one trip and it also did really well. All of them will work in and around any major cities, the Tmobile seemed to usually beat out in speed. I will be adding the ATT option as full time and actually removing the Verizon due to cost and no real benefit over the other two.

Anytime you can get an external antenna (Insty Connect and Pepwave) it will have better performance. Also stay away from boosters, they are just a waste of money in comparison. For example a good pepwave or Insty setup will cost around $1000ish (hardware). The boosters will be anywhere from $300-500 and usually do not truly improve the performance. Just spend the extra money you will be much happier you did.

When you add in the cost of Starlink be prepared to shell out about $1700 in initial hardware cost and then about $250ish per month. But you will never be lacking in coverage and ability to work or stream TV etc.. from anywhere.

 

[SloPoke-TC]

Starlink... Never ever without excellent internet service- wherever we are!