Wondering how to get wifi in a caravan?
In today’s world, our lives depend upon the internet. We need the internet to send and receive emails, for reservations, to watch a good movie with your folks. One of the biggest concerns of the people planning holidays is internet connectivity.
There was a time when you had to cut off from everything while caravanning, but luckily that is past now. Today, you have multiple options to choose from while spending holidays in a caravan park or touring. This article will discuss several alternatives that will get the job done while touring or at a campsite.
Read the article till the end so that you can choose wisely and make your trip even better and discover how to get wi-fi in a caravan. Obviously wi-fi will be vital if like us you’re living in a caravan and work online!
How To Get Wi-Fi In A Static Caravan
Generally, you get complimentary Wi-Fi in caravan parks (See our Caravan Club Wi-Fi article here), but often the speed is too slow. If you rely on the Wi-Fi for your work or want to enjoy some quality time, then consider these options:
Caravan Wi-Fi Signal Booster
As the name states, you can use this device to boost the Wi-Fi signals to provide better speed or signal strength. In most cases, people get slow speed because they are far away from the router. In such cases, a Wi-Fi signal booster is a best and most economical choice.
To check whether a Wi-Fi signal booster is a device for you, go near the Wi-Fi router and look at the speed. If you get a good surfing experience near the router, then a signal booster is the answer.
If you don’t get good speed near the router, the connection is probably oversubscribed. In this scenario, getting a Wi-Fi booster won’t take the speed anywhere because the load on the connection is too much.
Setting up a Wi-Fi signal booster isn’t tricky at all. Some Wi-Fi signal boosters come in the shape of USBs and can be easily attached to your laptop. You can also buy antenna-shaped Wi-Fi signal boosters and attach them to the top of your caravan.
4G Caravan Routers
This is also an excellent device to use when you are away from home. Internet-enabled devices are pretty easy to use and set up. Moreover, these devices are readily available in mobile shops and tech stores around the UK and EU.
Although 5G-enabled Wi-Fi routers are also available on the market, they don’t use work in rural areas. Whereas 4G connectivity is quite robust in almost every caravan park you can go in.
Configuring a 4G router is not difficult either. Simply buy the device, choose a provider, insert a sim, and you are good to go. 4G router also comes at different price points with variable options.
Here are some options that you should know about to make the right decision:
1. Quality Of Service
Quality of service is an add-on that allows you to allocate bandwidth according to your preference. Meaning that you can give priority to your most-used devices like laptop and phone. Moreover, you can also set this preference for services like YouTube, Gmail, and Netflix.
2. Dual-Band
Two types of frequencies are mainly used for internet connectivity. 5GHz is the latest, more reliable, and faster frequency than its predecessor that is 2.4GHz. On the other hand, 2.4GHz frequency is known to be power-saving and provides a more extended range.
3. External or Internal Antenna
The placement of the antenna plays a vital role in the strength of your signal. If you get a router with an external antenna, you will obtain a longer range and better signal strength.
Wi-Fi For Touring Caravans
Adventures done while touring in a caravan are matchless. You get to connect with your favourite folks better and also cherish nature deeply. The only problem you will face while touring is getting a stable Wi-Fi connection.
Well, don’t worry because these options will help you in getting the best out of your tour:
Caravan Mobile Tethering
Mobile tethering is the most simple, economical, and instant solution to this problem. Most of us are aware of this term and hold the source in our hands every day.
Mobile tethering is basically sharing the internet using your mobile phones. We all use the internet on our phones; we just have to turn on the mobile tethering option.
You can pay additional charges for it, or you can go for monthly data packages according to your usage.
Caravan Satellite Wi-Fi
The ultimate answer to all your Wi-Fi needs is satellite connection. No doubt, the equipment can empty your wallet for once, but the stability and speed you will get worth it.
When you go for options that involve mobile date or anything similar, you won’t get the best quality all the time. Whereas, if you have a satellite connection and the placement of your dish is perfect, quality will amaze you.
You will get signals even in the wilderness if you choose to get a satellite connection. This is like some really cool James’s bond stuff.
Summary
Today, internet connection has become a necessity for people away from home. Some people need it to keep up with their work during holidays. Others simply want to have something to relax after a tiring day full of activities.
Back when the culture of caravanning started and even after a long time there was no concept of having internet. Fortunately, things are changing for good. Today, caravan parks are offering complimentary Wi-Fi to the residents.
The speed offered by the network providers is also getting better day by day. However, getting good Wi-Fi speed in rural areas or densely populated parks is still a miracle. Luckily, there are some options available on the market that help you in getting over this inconvenience,
If you are a static caravan owner, then devices like signal boosters and 4G routers will work fine for you. On the contrary, if you are a touring caravan enthusiast, then you can either go with services like mobile tethering or kill it by setting up a satellite connection.
As with any public wi-fi be sure to keep yourself protected, consider using a VPN, and also don’t forget to logout of the wi-fi when you’re done.