Internet
If you’re planning to work online on the road – or if you just like being able to stream Netflix and scroll Instagram – you might want to add internet to your van. After all, it’s super helpful for finding campsites, dump stations, driving directions, trail data or whatever #vanlife research you’re be doing day in and day out.
If your version of #vanlife means no internet: congrats! You’ll definitely save some cash that you can use for other fun things instead, like awesome campsites and extra restaurant visits. Go ahead and splurge for that sushi!
But for those of us who need internet for work or travel, how do you stay connected with internet on the road? We’ve got you covered.
Table of Contents
We cover cellular internet data plans, like using your phone as an occasional hotspot or buying a mobile hotspot
We talk about how adding a cell booster to your vehicle can help you get a few extra bars of service when you’re out in the middle of nowhere.
Part 1: Using a Data Plan
It’s pretty likely that you have a smart phone with a data plan already — which gives you internet wherever you have service. This is the primary way to get internet on the road, because you can’t connect to a DSL like you can with a physical, non-mobile house.
If you’re only planning to use internet occasionally, you might be able to get by on your current data plan on your phone (or adding a few gigs to cover those late-night YouTube vortexes).
With your cellular internet data plan, you have two primary ways to get wifi in your van: using your phone as a hotspot (not recommended for heavy use) or purchasing a mobile hotspot plan & device from your phone company.
Using Your Phone’s Hotspot
You can use your phone’s existing data plan to tether another device, like your laptop or tablet, to your phone. This is called a mobile hotspot – you share your phone’s cellular data with other nearby devices. The benefit here is you can use your existing cell phone & its data plan to get internet on your other devices. Sweet!
The cons are that your phone wasn’t designed to do this long-term PLUS you likely don’t have the monthly data allowance to use this method often. When you turn on your phone’s hotspot, your phone has to use a lot of power to ‘beam’ that wi-fi signal around your van. This takes a lot of battery life, so you’ll need to keep it plugged in while you use it — and it’ll seriously affect the battery life of your phone long-term, too. Not good, because new phone batteries are expensive to install, and having a phone with a battery is the worst.
If you’re a digital nomad and expecting to use your internet for a fair amount of work – this option likely won’t cut it. But if you’re just planning to use the internet now and then to look up directions or send an email, your phone’s hotspot might be enough for you. But keep in mind: most phone data plans are 3-10 GB a month, and that’s about 1-3 hours of streaming video. Be careful not to go over and pay a hefty penalty!
Buying a Mobile Hotspot
Ever been confused by what exactly the difference is between a jetpack, a mobile hotspot, Mi-Fi, etc.? Well, they’re all pretty much the same thing: a device that takes a data signal and turns it into wi-fi in your van. They work just like your phone’s hotspot, except more efficiently. All you need to do is buy a hotspot device (Verizon’s brand name for them is Jetpack) and a data plan for it from a company like Verizon or AT&T and wham: you’ve got wi-fi in your van wherever you have a data signal!
One thing to keep in mind: you’ll have to charge your mobile hotspot to keep it running – and most require a standard 120V electrical socket (meaning you’ll need an electrical system with an inverter). We have a Jetpack, and it lasts about 3-5 hours per charge. Much better than using our phone’s hotspot, which depleted our iPhone battery in about 45 minutes.
You’ll also want to keep in mind that most hotspot “unlimited” plans aren’t really unlimited. They usually cap out at 15 GB/mo. then throttle your speed after that your internet will still load, but v. e. r. y. s. l. o. w. l. y. That’s not ideal if you’re a digital nomad that needs to hurry up and get work done so you can go play.
You’ll want to do some in-depth research on which company to open a plan with. Which one has the best coverage where you’ll be traveling? How much does it cost? And how much data is actually included in the plan? How long of a contract do you need to sign, and what are the fees for cancelling?
Here are two resources that are always up-to-date and go deep on your best options for mobile internet:
– Mobile Internet Resource Center
– Technomadia
We were bummed when we first went to Verizon to get our Jetpack plan. It was over $80/month with a 2-year contract for only 15 GB a month. This definitely wasn’t enough data for us since we both work on the road, but it was the largest plan they offered. We thankfully found a better option that is similar in price but offers truly unlimited data with no throttling. Shoot us an email if you’re interested in going this route.
Part 2: Using a Cell Booster
Cell Boosters essentially take the existing cell signal you have in a given spot and add an extra bar or two. That can make a big difference if you’re trying to work from your awesome, wild boondocking site in the middle of nowhere. We didn’t install a cell booster, but we wish we would have when we converted the van (and we very well may add it later when we’re ready to add and hide the wiring). Note that it amplifies the current cell signal, so if there’s no signal, it won’t help.
The popular weBoost Drive X cell booster is a bit spendy at $500, but it is a good long-term investment in your van if you’re a digital nomad. You’ll mount the antenna on the roof of your van and run a wire from it to the booster itself in your van. From there, it’s pretty hands-off.
If you don’t want to add a cell booster, you might be able to enjoy a stronger signal if you’re parked nearby a van or RV that does have one. But your odds aren’t great that’ll happen often. This has only happened to us once when a van with a booster parked next to us and we got a noticeable bump in speed. This convinced us that we should add a booster soon! Isak rightfully wanted to install one when we were doing our build, and if you rely on the internet for work we highly recommend adding one to your build from the get-go.
Part 3: Finding Free Wi-Fi on the Road
If you don’t need to be connected often, there are plenty of ways to find free wi-fi on the road!
Public libraries are probably your best bet: they’re absolutely free, fast, and usually have great work environments. Plus, libraries are just cool. We’ve stayed at a few fantastic libraries (looking at you, Moab – say hi to Cosmo the library cat if you visit!), but a few have been less-than-stellar, too (especially older ones that are still geared to providing books but not workspaces).
Coffee shops are great because they have high-speed internet, but they’re not always quiet. Plus, all those lattes and americanos can add up quickly! We use them as a last resort if we can’t find a nearby library or cell service for our Jetpack. Yelp can be helpful for finding good coffeeshops that are work-friendly (some coffee shops like offering a space for people to drink coffee and work — but others just want to sell coffee, not workspaces). Most coffee franchises like Starbucks or Caribou Coffee or what-have-you are work-friendly.
Finally, there are loads of businesses that offer free wi-fi: restaurants, fast food joints, Wal-Mart, Panera, etc. Speed can be hit or miss, and you should be sure to give them your business if you use them. These are usually best if you need internet for something small (and you’re using a tablet or phone), but they aren’t usually set up to help you if you need to do long computer work.
One last important note: public wi-fi isn’t secure. Don’t log-in to sensitive online accounts (like your bank or other financial institution) or make transactions without using a VPN. (We use NordVPN and like it, though I’m sure more techy folks have more secure recommendations). If you don’t want to research and buy a VPN, you can always temporarily connect to you phone’s hotspot for a quick way to have a more secure connection for important internet use.
Check out our FAQ for a few more tips on finding free wi-fi!
