The Best RV Internet Service
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For many RVers, having an internet connection you can depend on while you are on the road is crucial. As a working RV owner, being on the road for extended periods of time, there seems to be one common concern: How do I get internet service in my RV? The internet landscape has changed significantly over the past few years, with 2020 being an unexpected transition year.
When we talk about getting an internet connection on the road, we will usually use our cellular data connection. There's really no way around that because we will automatically have our phones switched to our cellular connection once we are disconnected from a stable Wi-Fi connection. Many find that a cellular data connection is one of the best technologies available. A network connection on the road can come in the form of a straightforward cellular data connection, a mobile hotspot, or a tethered connection.
If you stop at campgrounds, you cannot always rely on campground WiFi connections. While some campgrounds may have strong WiFi connections(in fact, most are far from reliable. This is usually because all the other RVers are also trying to connect to the same network.
Campground WiFi connections can be slow for a variety of reasons:
- The RVs in between your devices and the router can weaken the signal
- The signal will be slower as more people use the WiFi connection
- Remote campgrounds and remote locations may rely on satellite internet, a DSL connection, or fixed wireless internet, which are all generally slow connections
RV Wi-Fi
From an internet standpoint, RV WiFi can work just like WiFi anywhere else. If you have a phone, tablet, laptop, or any other WiFi-enabled device, you will be able to connect to the WiFi connection, and then browse the web or stream videos, in the same manner, you would if you were elsewhere. One of the biggest differences is where the original signal stems from. Internet connections for an RV are a little more complex and will require careful consideration.
Unlimited Internet
If you walk into your favorite cellular provider store and ask for an unlimited hotspot plan, a sales representative will be more than happy to sell you one. However, you may not be happy with the plan you have been given. Why? After you use a rather small amount of data, your connection will be slowed down to a speed that will be nearly unusable, and you will not be at a usable speed until the start of your next billing cycle. This is why many RV owners are looking for an internet plan that is truly unlimited and unthrottled.
While there are phones that come with unlimited data that is unthrottled, this is usually only meant for data for devices. This means if you attempt to tether a different mobile device or a TV to the phone, you will not have an unlimited amount of data to use. Out of the major cell phone companies, Sprint has one of the cheapest Unlimited data-only plans. However, to get this plan for $49.99, you will have to join FMCA which is an RV membership club. The cost to join FMCA is $60.00 for the first year. After the first year, you will pay $50.00 per year.
FMCA
The Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) offers a significant amount of benefits and club discounts that are only available to members. The Sprint data-only plan discount can justify the full FMCA membership fee. If you are not a member of the FMCA, you will not be able to get the data-only plan at the same rate. After joining FMCA and being assigned your club membership number, you can sign up for FMCA's Tech Connect+. You will pay FMCA the monthly fee in addition to a one-time charge for your new router. It is recommended to sign-up for Tech Connect + because members need to have at least a year of active membership to enjoy the full benefits of FMCA.
Do you remember the time when the thought of getting a solid internet connection anywhere other than in your home was something that would not cross your mind because no one thought it was possible? It wasn't too long ago that getting a solid internet connection on your phone was a chore, and trying to use that same internet connection on a different device was too much trouble for some.
Today, more RV owners and travelers want a more improved connection that will allow them to access any service or application using a dependable internet signal. As you have already gathered, there are quite a few options to consider when it comes to internet connections on the road. With the advancements in technology and the expansion of cellular services and Wi-Fi access, mobile devices can provide many with an internet connection that will allow them to perform some tasks. However, this will not work for anyone and it can be undependable at times.
Once you understand how you plan to use the internet when you are traveling in your RV and you try a variety of methods that have not been working for you, you may decide to look elsewhere, and this is where FMCA will come into play. You will quickly realize that by signing up for FMCA, you could save $100s of dollars each month by using your tethered phones, getting the cheapest data-only plans for routers/modems, and getting rid of the cord for good when it comes to your TV provider.
Taking the time to set up an internet connection in your RV will make traveling in an RV 100 percent possible. In the age of remote work and virtual classes, the ability to remain connected to the world at all times, regardless of where you are, will allow you to see everything the world has to offer while working. For more information on FMCA TechConnect RV Internet Service and how you can use this RV internet service to perform your MSP-related job tasks, contact Ulistic to schedule a consultation.
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