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RV Tips : RV Internet Access

Staying connected while travel is very important to many RVers. Having cellular phone connectivity is one thing, but have RV internet access is a whole other ball game. Most full-time RVers are looking for both cellular and internet RV access on the go. With the new advancements in cellular technology there are several options for travelers. Below are our tips on staying connected while seeing the U.S.

Your options include:

• Dial-Up and DSL
• Cable RV Internet Access
• Wi-Fi Hotspots
• Laptops with 802.11
• Wireless (Cellular) RV Internet Access

RV Internet Access: Dial-up

Internet Access through dial-up or DSL is becoming a thing of the past. However, this appraoch is very simple and easy to manage. Many RV Parks still allow you to plug into a dial-up modem to connect to your internet provider, but many are doing away with this approach. This approach will result in slow connection times and cause you to have to move around the campground to find the dial-up area. In the past, this was about the only way to get RV internet access, but in the current web-based world, it does not meet the needs of most RVers.

RV Internet Access: Cable Access

RV Internet Access: Wi-Fi Hotspots

Many travelers are familar with wi0fi hit spots. These are areas which allow patrons to pay for wireless acecss to the internet while enjoying a coffee or sandwich or reading a book. Although this is a decent way to stay connected during short trips, it is sometimes more of an inconvenience to park in a Starbucks or Panera parking lot to get wireless signal. Other places which might offer wi-fi are libraries, coffee shops, airports, and food chains.

RV Internet Access: 802.11

If you have a more current laptop, there is a good chance that it has a 802.11 wireless card or adapter. This allows you to access RV Parkwi-fi from the comfort of your own RV. This is more common with RV Parks nowadays. You will notice that if it is a large RV Park, that the internet access may have some delays. This is often the result of an underequipped wi-fi netowrk at the campground. However, if it is adequately put together, you will receive high-speed internet access.

There are four flavors of 802.11 (a,b,g,n). The g and n version are the newest and offer more robust speed, connections and transmission or reception of wireless signal.

This option can be very easy to connect with, but requires a laptop with 802.11.

RV Internet Access: Wireless (Cellular) RV Internet Access

For the more tech-savvy RVer, this option is the easiest and more reliable way to get RV Internet Access is through a smartphone such as a Blackberry, Palm Pre, or iPhone. However, if you want to use your laptop to surf the net there are a few options:

• Tethering: Many travelers who have smartphones such as a Blackberry, can use there phone as a high-speed cable modem. This is called tethering and it is offered as an add-on to Verizon Blackberry customers. It costs about $15 per month for this service. The only problem is that you cannot talk and surf the web at the same time.
• Wireless Aircards: This involves purchasing a wireless card from a service provider such as Verizon or ATT&T. This device plugs into a port on your laptop (usually USB) and requires a software install. IT is a great way to travel and stay connected. The cards can also be shared among laptops if the family has many machines. Verizon plans start around $60/no for 5GB of data transfer.
• Buy a mini laptop from DELL which has the wireless card integrated into it. These compact and smaller versions of laptops are great when traveling. They offer all the capabilities of a full-size laptop, but are half the size. This option still requires that yuou sign a contract with a wireless provider.

As you can see, getting RV Internet access can be easy or slightly cumbersome. Choose the option that you would use for the next couple years. Especially if you are getting into a contract with a service provider.