Internet on the Road

[Mojokomo]

Hi,
i have been a work from home person for a few years, and I'm thinking of buying a Caravan (probably bigger) next year and hitting the road. I'm trying to track areas across the US with the best internet and the longest stay allowed. My hours right now are from 8;30-5PM (M-F), and I'd love to live where my weekends would be spent walking thru woods, a little hike here and there, and/or a place near water with fish.

I know it's a big wishlist, but I"m also a lifetime member of National Parks, and though it's great to have access to every one of them, I love knowing I could finally have a lifestyle that focuses more on nature than city-life
Maia

 

[RvNaut]

There is ample discussion here in this forum that will easily keep you reading for a day or so.

I have Starlink ( post here and video online).. it is expensive but blows away the competition in terms of speed and connectivity in rural areas.

Others do well enough for their needs using cell data.

With a clear shot at the northern sky Starlink works very well with very few drops for me at this point, although there are still times when the sats just are not over head, but the density has been going up dramatically over the last year... On Jan 1 of this year there were 1500 Sats in service. as of this writing there are 2642 operational, with hundreds up there being moved into operational positions... I am not a fan boi as such, just pitching the numbers out there...

Right now, if you want to "get out there" and stay out there, there is only one real choice. If you can stay in range of cell services you have a lot more choice.

I will again stress, if you can get terrestrial services that serve your needs, you do not need Starlink... if *I* could do that I would too... If I didn't use 100s of GB and lived differently, I also would...

Read.. lots... watch videos

YMMV IANAL

 

[bullfrog]

Welcome! This life is all about choices and compromises. Hope you make good ones and find one you enjoy!

 

[1zacster]

SolidRF brand cell boosters are going to be the cheapest, and most feature rich cell signal boosters that support both 4G and 5G, plan to spend about $400. The best data plan I have found it T-Mobile which sells 100Gb plans for $50/mo I believe.
Starlink is the alternative. $600 for a dish and $150/mo for the RV plan. There are data caps for peak usage times (8am-11pm if I remember) but after 11pm throttling between users is still in effect, but there is no data being counted towards a cap. At 3am I've gotten 180 megabit speed peak!
Note you will share bandwith if you are in the same "cell" as other Starlink users, so RV parks with a lot of other users you will be sharing the bandwith. I have not had a problem using it for WFH at all.

 

[maki2]

The concept of cellular company putting up cell towers within a National Park, which is by intent a nature preserve, makes it seem highly unlikely. The goal is to get you out in nature, not sitting staring at an electronic device. So do not count on great high speed cell service in the National Parks.

The National Parks I have visited (only a few) did not have cell signals good enough for internet browsing. I had to use the Wi-Fi signal at the hotels and restaurants for that.

The towns near the park would be your best bet for a strong enough cellular signal for internet activities.

 

[WanderingRose]

I have had a WeBoost, single device cell booster for several years, and have found it reliably does what it says it will do.

I use it only for my cell phone.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

The best resource I have found for mobile internet is:

Mobile Internet for RV & Boats - Unbiased News, Guidance & Education

Helping you find your BEST mobile internet solution for RV and boat travels. Unbiased member supported content on cellular, satellite and Wi-Fi options.

www.rvmobileinternet.com

 

[egilbe]

SolidRF brand cell boosters are going to be the cheapest, and most feature rich cell signal boosters that support both 4G and 5G, plan to spend about $400. The best data plan I have found it T-Mobile which sells 100Gb plans for $50/mo I believe.
Starlink is the alternative. $600 for a dish and $150/mo for the RV plan. There are data caps for peak usage times (8am-11pm if I remember) but after 11pm throttling between users is still in effect, but there is no data being counted towards a cap. At 3am I've gotten 180 megabit speed peak!
Note you will share bandwith if you are in the same "cell" as other Starlink users, so RV parks with a lot of other users you will be sharing the bandwith. I have not had a problem using it for WFH at all.

Starlink doesn't have a cap. After 1TB, your internet traffic is deprioritized. It's only for residential service. Roaming is always deprioritized, but still no cap.

 

[wayne49]

The concept of cellular company putting up cell towers within a National Park, which is by intent a nature preserve, makes it seem highly unlikely. The goal is to get you out in nature, not sitting staring at an electronic device. So do not count on great high speed cell service in the National Parks.

The National Parks I have visited (only a few) did not have cell signals good enough for internet browsing. I had to use the Wi-Fi signal at the hotels and restaurants for that.

The towns near the park would be your best bet for a strong enough cellular signal for internet activities.

Same situation for National Forests.

Inyo NF has US-395 running through it, close to the highway has good signal. Elsewhere no signal.

Another exception, that I am aware of, is in Nevada is US-50 at Bob Scott summit, there is a cell tower located close to the highway inside the NF. There is a network of forest roads in that area for maintenance trucks to have access.

 

[maki2]

It is to my benefit that people do not realize there is plenty of NFS camping in Northern AZ where you can get useable cell signal The monsoon season helps keeps the signal a useable speed.