What can I do with RV Wi-Fi?
We’re glad you asked. According to a recent KOA report on North American camping trends, campers who say access to cell service or Wi-Fi is important while camping report camping more (an average of an additional six days per year) and taking more individual trips when they have adequate Wi-Fi access.
The study then goes on to list the most prevalent ways campers use social media while camping:
- Sharing photos or videos
- Researching the area they are staying
- Checking in at the location
- Posting status updates
- Getting news and information updates
- Finding out what friends and family are doing
That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though. With a reliable, top-notch Wi-Fi connectivity solution like we describe below—you’ll also have the opportunity to:
- Stream entertainment, such as music or movies
- Turn your picnic table into the office desk
- Keep the kids occupied on a rainy day (it happens)
- Refill prescriptions
- Skype with the grandkids so they don’t forget their favorites
- Search images to see if you just rolled in poison ivy (that happens, too)
- Extend your range so you don’t have to stay within a cord’s length of your campsite
The possibilities are endless. So what’s the next step to making them a reality?
What to look for in an RV Wi-Fi solution.
We’re not even going to try and explain what makes a Wi-Fi beamy-thingy that shoots bits and bytes magically from device to device. That’s not in our wheelhouse. Not even close. But we do know what things go into the best Wi-Fi solution for RVers. And they are as easy as 1, 2, 3.
#1: Wi-Fi Extender.
While the purpose of a booster and an extender is the same—to improve coverage—they serve different situations. Boosters work great for larger homes, but they require more equipment and can reduce transmit speeds. An extender ramps up signal strength at the source to give you a greater coverage area without impacting speeds. That translates to a greater range—allowing you to roam outside around your RV with your devices, and camp farther from the source of a campground’s Wi-Fi. Which is where you’ll find other campers—the ones without extenders—clustered. Free yourself from the cluster.
#2: Data Plan.
If you’re looking to go off-grid but stay online, you’ll need a data plan, preferably an unlimited one. Most major carriers provide multiple data plans and comparable coverage areas to choose from. Both Verizon and ATT have some great plan options available when you purchase Roadlink™C2, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi router plus extender.
A Wi-Fi extender will only get you so far. But add an extender to a data plan like AT&T’s, and the combination will get you farther—much farther. Like off-the-grid, I’ll-email-you-if-I-need-you farther.
#3: Connectivity App.
Let’s pretend you’re reading in your hammock when you notice little Johnny has been on social media for wayyyy too long. Oh, what to do? You take out your phone, tap on your Wi-Fi connectivity app that you downloaded with your device, check his data usage, and boom! It’s time for a hike. If the connectivity solution you’re considering doesn’t offer a convenient app to track and manage usage, take a pass. You might be a camper, but you’re not living in the Stone Age.
