• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Technomadia

Technomadia

Adventures in Nomadic Serendipity

  • Blog
  • Video
  • Technology
    • Mobile Technology
    • Solar Electrical System
    • Lithium Ion Batteries
    • Mobile Internet Setup
    • Mobile Internet Resource Center (Our Work)
  • Nomad
    • No Excuses: Go Nomadic Series
    • Featured Guides & Thoughts
    • Travel Maps, Annual Wraps-Ups & Plans
    • Cost Log
    • Kiki’s Corner
  • RVing
    • Zephyr – 1961 Bus Conversion
    • Blooper – 2020.5 Winnebago Travato 59GL Van Conversion
    • RVing Travelogues
    • Bus Projects
    • Campground Reviews
      • Favorite Campgrounds
      • Campground Reviews (2015+ – Campendium)
    • Full Time RVing Stuff
    • Links: RVing Resources We Love
  • Boating
    • Y-Not — 1999 Bayliner 4788 Motor Yacht
    • Boat Projects
    • Cruising Travelogues
    • Great Loop Interactive Travel Map
    • St. Johns River Cruising
    • Links: Boating/Cruising Resources We Love
  • Gear
  • About Us
    • Start Here – Quick Intro
    • Our Full Story
    • “Technomedia” (Media Appearances)
    • Contact Us
  • Say Thanks

Our RV, Van & Boat Mobile Internet Setup – 19 Years of Keeping Online (Updated: July 2025)

Boat Projects Boating Cruising / Boating (March 2017 - present) Featured Gear Mobile Technology RVing Tech Reviews Vintage Bus (June 2011 - present)

Feb 19, 2019 by Cherie Ve Ard 29 Comments

When we first hit the road in 2006 to travel full-time, being able to work remotely utilizing mobile internet was absolutely essential in pursuing our nomadic dreams.

We started off in a super tiny travel trailer, we were working remotely as software developers and technology consultants.

While we were self employed, at the time we had clients that expected us to be online and available during regular business hours.

So of course – connectivity was critically important to us!

Our first home on wheels. We didn’t have a bathroom, air conditioner, or refrigerator. But we had mobile internet!

While it was easier than our predecessors who had to rely on public Wi-Fi or satellite internet – it wasn’t as easy as it is today.

Back then, we often had to surf uphill both ways using nothing but 1xRTT on our trusty unlimited Sprint data card.

Yes, as unbelievable as it sounds – Sprint was a top option back then! They’re not even around anymore.

5G wasn’t even on the radar, LTE was a distant dream, 3G was just barely starting to emerge, and we considered it the “technomad trifecta” if we could find those rare sweet remote boondocking locations that were free, scenic, and had ample bandwidth.

If we really needed to, we’d commute to a nearby town to spend a workday at a cafe or brewery sipping some free Wi-Fi. And we’d soak in wireless waves to conduct system updates, perform back-ups and download large files while visiting friends & family.

Thankfully, over the years, keeping connected has gotten a LOT easier!

In the past decade the cellular carriers have significantly expanded their networks and upgraded their technology, and we now regularly surf at speeds that were beyond comprehension for even a wired connection back then.

And we can get connected in more places than ever.

We now often stream video in 4K to our heart’s content, we host a YouTube channel with live HD broadcasts, conduct interactive two-way webinars and use cloud services as a normal part of our lives.

All over mobile internet!

Though things have gotten easier – there are still challenges, and there’s no one-size fits all universal connectivity solution. And the “best” options are changing all of the time too, and they vary by location!

To stay on top of the best mobile internet options, you almost need to make keeping connected a full-time job.

So that’s exactly what we did.

We had learned so much about keeping connected that we actually ended up writing a book on the topic in 2013 – to try to stop a flooded inbox with questions.

There was so much interest in going deeper that we transitioned our own careers to tracking mobile internet options by founding the Mobile Internet Resource Center in 2014.

The resource center is dedicated to sharing unbiased information about mobile internet options for RVers, cruisers and nomads.

Disclaimer :

We are not sponsored or paid advertising dollars by any company or service mentioned in this post. Some equipment we test is provided for review (clearly indicated), and others we purchase in thanks to member funding. Some links in this post may be affiliate links however (Amazon, weBoost and MobileMustHave) – the little extra ka-ching makes our hearts sing.

We track mobile internet for a living, and we do hope that you’ll further your research by clicking over to our content provided there (much of it free) and share it with other RVers and cruisers. 

If you decide premium membership is right for you, we look forward to helping guide you through your personal setup within our member spaces.

Use Discount Code ‘TechnomadiaRocks’ at checkout to save $10 off a new MIA membership.

We now we split our time between our 1961 vintage bus conversion, a motor yacht, and a Class-B van conversion!

So you might be wondering, after years of super focusing on mobile internet options for RVers and cruisers – what options do we utilize in our personal setup?.

Our RV & Boat Mobile Internet Overview

Last Major Update: July 2025

The Peplink MAX BR2 Pro dual modem 5G router with two Ethernet WAN and USB tethering. Ours provided by our friends at MobileMustHave.com (we work closely with them at the Mobile Internet Resource Center. They give our members substantial discounts.)

We began standardizing on Peplink routers back in 2015. We use different combinations of their routers in our vehicles, and are constantly testing different configurations.

With these routers we can run multiple cellular data plans, Ethernet WAN (such as Starlink), USB tether hotspots and Wi-Fi as WAN. The routers provide instant fail over if one connection goes down, or even bonding multiple connections for increased reliability.

We also use Access Points from Peplink for distributing our Wi-Fi signal and being able to use our roof antennas for fetching a Wi-Fi signal from a marina or campground.

The routers & Starlink move between our various vessels as we switch up our travel style during the year – so what is actually installed in each can vary at any moment. But here’s our setup as of 2025:

When we leave one of our vehicles behind in storage, we do leave behind a spare data plan in an older single modem Pepwave router for remote monitoring.


Mobile Internet Video Tour

Here’s a video of our boat & RV internet setup as of July 2025:

 

And.. now follow along for the juicy details.. including links to further guides we provide on our resource center if you care to dive in:


Mobile Internet Router – The Center of our Setup

While mobile hotspots and smartphones can create their own Wi-Fi network, and you can connect your laptop to the campground’s Wi-Fi if you’re close enough – our needs demand the features and integration of a mobile router.

A router acts as the central conductor between your mobile internet options and your devices.

This allows all your devices to always connect to the same network, and you just switch out what is the current best internet source at your location (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Starlink, campground/marina Wi-Fi, etc.).

Routers also usually have Ethernet ports, which can be important if you want a wired local network or have a cellular modem that supports Ethernet out. And routers usually can create a stronger and wider local Wi-Fi network too.

What sets mobile routers apart from household routers are these features:

  • Multi-WAN – The ability to bring together multiple internet sources, especially those typically used in a mobile internet environment. Those sources might include:
    • Cellular – allows you to use cellular data as your internet source. This could including embedded cellular modems, or USB/Ethernet tethering to POE modems, hotspots, phones & tablets.
    • Wi-Fi as WAN – allowing you to connect to other Wi-Fi hotspots to be an internet connection. This could include a marina or campgrounds provided Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi at a cafe or library, Wi-Fi at a friends house, or even a connection to another source you provide – like a phone, mobile hotspot device or Starlink’s router.
    • Ethernet WAN – allowing you to bring in additional sources of internet that are wired. This could include a cable connection at a campground or marina, a hardwired connection at a house, Starlink’s router with an Ethernet adapter, another router or even a mobile hotspot with Ethernet out.
  • Combining Internet Sources – Not only can a mobile router use multiple sources of internet – they usually have advanced features to combine those connections for increased reliability. This can include bonding, load balancing and auto-failover.
  • DC Power – most mobile routers can be powered off 12v or 110, allowing you to use them without needing shore power or an inverter when off grid – such as boondocking or anchoring out.

Routers come in a variety of price points, complexity, usability and some have roof mounted options for better signals.

Peplink MAX BR2 Pro 5G – Center of our mobile internet setup.

At the center of our setup is Peplink MAX BR2 Pro ($2899, provided by Peplink & MobileMustHave.com). It’s honestly overkill for most nomad’s needs.

It has dual embedded 5G modems and a modern router chassis. It also has two Ethernet WAN ports, a USB tethering port and supports Wi-Fi as WAN. As of Spring 2025, we have the newly updated X65 5G modem version of this router.

All together, we can bring together countless different internet sources that can be managed rather seamlessly together.

This includes:

  • Starlink
  • Peplink HD Dome Pro 5G
  • Insty Connect Squared POE
  • Cellular mobile hotspots
  • Campground/Marina Wi-Fi

We also keep other routers in our testing rotation, including the MAX BR1 5G Pro ($999, single 5G version, provided by Peplink & MobileMustHave).

But if we were designing our system from scratch today and paying for it ourselves, we’d be seriously considering the B One 5G ($599, single 5G with USB tethering & multiple Ethernet ports) – which was released in mid 2024. This is a device we frequently recommend our members consider. It’s feature rich and a great price point.  

Related Guides:

  • Peplink Resource Center
  • Selecting a Mobile Router 
  • Cellular Modems
  • 5G Tracking

Starlink for RV & Boat Internet

Starlink has become a popular and viable option for mobile internet.

As of mid 2025 they offer three different dishes suitable for RVs and boats – Mini, Standard and Performance.

They offer a Residential fixed location plan for $120/mo which requires changing your service address at each stop – but is cheaper and gives higher network priority (faster speeds).

Or you can get Roam plans that will work anywhere Starlink offers land (which includes inland waterways, which most of the Great Loop is) service with automatic roaming – even internationally. Plan options are $10/mo for 10GB, $50 for 50GB of data, or $165/mo for unlimited. However Roam service is always ‘best effort’ – which means if you’re in a congested market, you may get slow to unusable data.

There are also Priority plans, including Global Priority that is for use on the ocean or long term globally, starting at $250/mo.

Starlink vs 5G?? We use both.

We received our Starlink setup in January 2022 and have been using it on both our boat and van. In late 2024, we switched to the Mini dish for the space and power savings.

However, we don’t tend to keep service activated unless we are somewhere without suitable cellular service. Which is quite rare. 

Starlink just is not a solution that is suitable enough for our needs.

For us, the upload speeds aren’t always fast enough to support our work with YouTube video uploads and video broadcasting. And there can be pretty significant drop outs if you use the dish near obstructions (like trees or sailboat masts), in heavy rain or even if there are solar flares.

Plus, Starlink uses a lot more power than cellular, which isn’t ideal when we’re trying to live off solar and battery.

Starlink has also made a lot of abrupt changes to the terms of service since they launched (price increases, removing portability, geofencing to land, etc) – making them a bit of an unstable solution to depend solely around.

And for those reasons, we still use cellular as our primary connection and Starlink as a backup. We usually just activate the lowest data plan when we need to get online in a cellular weak area.

We have a full guide to getting and using Starlink, including a video series:
Starlink for RV and Boat Use

And for those also wanting to avoid Starlink, we offer this guide & video with alternatives:
Alternatives to Starlink


Cellular Data for Mobile Internet

Cellular data has been our primary source of internet connectivity since we hit the road, and it’s been quite a journey!

While our dual 5G router provides two cellular modems that are the core of our connectivity, we also have other sources of cellular internet in our setup.

  • MAX BR2 Pro 5G ($2899, provided by Peplink & MobileMustHave.com) is the central router in our setup, featuring two embedded 5G cellular modems. On our roof, we have two very high gain cellular antennas that attach to the modems to get a better signal.
    • As mentioned above, if we were paying for our own setup today – we’d likely go with the B One 5G at $599 instead. 
  • HD Dome Pro 5G ($2799, provided by Peplink & MobileMustHave.com) is a roof mounted integrated unit with a 5G modem, four cellular antennas and Wi-Fi antennas. With the antenna integrated right into the modem, there is no signal loss – but the antennas aren’t as high gain as the ones we use with our MAX BR2. This single unit then connects into the MAX BR2 via Ethernet as additional internet sources. We use this device as our primary one for connecting to campground or marina Wi-Fi, as it can reach further due to being exterior.
    • If we didn’t receive one for evaluation and it already being installed, we’d probably skip this pricey option. In late 2024, Peplink released their Antenna Max solution, which is an external mounted dome antenna with cradle to add one of their other routers – this is a much more flexible and affordable option to consider for an outdoor Peplink router.  Insty Connect is also a great option to consider.  
  • Mobile hotspot devices are self contained battery operated cellular devices that are usually carrier specific. We like the flexibility of being able to take them with us if we need internet while on the go. We usually have the latest and greatest flagship hotspot for each carrier in our rotation – and change out which we’re actively using based on local signal conditions, how much data we have left, etc. They attach to the MAX BR2 via USB, Ethernet or Wi-Fi as WAN. We also keep an Insty Connect POE modem around that can be used as an external cellular source.
  • Smartphones and tablets can also be used as internet sources, using their personal mobile hotspot function. If we need to integrate in their connection to our network, we’ll connect using Wi-Fi as WAN – as unfortunately Peplink routers with USB ports don’t support tethering to Apple devices (just Android). But most often, we’re using our mobile devices when away from the boat or RV.

Related Guides:

  • Cellular Devices for Mobile Internet – Smartphones, Hotspots vs Routers
  • Selecting a Mobile Router 
  • Selecting Mobile Hotspots
  • Using Cellular as an Internet Source

Our Cellular Data Plans

Or course, cellular data devices are useless with out a cellular data plan that gets you connected to your carrier(s).

There are currently four major US cellular carriers – Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Dish Wireless (aka Boost). Most of us on the road will want at least two of them in our setup.

In recent years, we have been working on trimming back our plans!

Multi-Carrier Data Plans

These days, there are a lot of options out there that claim to roam onto multiple carrier networks – however most options require use of a specific router, and are generally 3rd Party Vendors.

  • MobileMustHave RoamLink – In Summer 2024, our friends at MMH launched their own MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) called RoamLink. That’s about as official as a 3rd party reseller can get with the carriers. The plans roam onto Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile and work in any Peplink Router.  We’ve been testing it before they launched, and it’s become our default data plan for daily use.
    • Starting in 2025, they offer activations of RoamLink on any data only device, exclusive to our members at MIRC.

T-Mobile

In the past few years, T-Mobile has led the race with 5G.

  • We keep an annual membership with the non-profit Calyx Institute which gives us an unlimited data plan, but it has video throttling at 2.5 Mbps. The Sprout option is $600 the first year, and then 500/year to renew ($41.66/mo) with a SIM you can use in any data device. You can get a free month of service if you use our referral code/link (and we’ll get a free month too – not that we need it, we’re now prepaid through about 2050!).
  • For T-Mobile direct, we have a business unlimited line for $50/month. This is very similar to the popular T-Mobile Home Internet (TMHI) plan, except you can use the SIM card in your own device.) Their terms have shifted to be more fixed location, but enforcement hasn’t come yet. We mainly keep it around for the lack of video throttling, but it’s probably next on our list to ditch.
  • We also keep one of their now legacy 30GB for $10/mo lines for remote monitoring of whatever RV/boat we have left behind – it’s perfect for that (or as a back-up option.)
  • We also keep a T-Mobile Business Tablet line active for unlimited data for just $10/month.

Verizon

We currently have two plans with them:

Our primary option:

  • Legacy Unlimited Plan (gUDP) – Back in 2014, we assumed liability of a grandfathered in unlimited Verizon account (a plan that retired in 2011, it’s truly unlimited – no throttling, no network management). We typically use a cellular embedded router. The total cost is around $70/month.
    • Sorry. This sweet plan has been pretty much difficult/impossible to acquire since early 2018. These lines are actively getting shut down, and we feel this one is on borrowed time.
  • Visible: A prepaid smartphone brand owned by Verizon, Visible offers unlimited high speed on device data and unlimited hotspot use (capped at 15 Mbps). It’s only $45/month (use our referral link/code of tG8RD and you’ll save $20, and we’ll get a $20 credit). We keep this on a dual SIM smartphone as a back-up option to AT&T.

AT&T

We currently have two plans:

  • Unlimited Premium / Business – We keep our smartphones on an AT&T Business plan that provides 200GB of high speed hotspot (along with several family members – this keeps our costs down). 
  • Mobley / Connected Car – AT&T for a short time in 2017 offered a $20/mo unlimited plan on their Mobley device meant for cars. The plans have always worked in hotspots and routers. Current versions of these plans are locked to connected car devices and aren’t nearly as attractive.
    • Mobley / Connected Car was retired in 2018.

Dish Wireless Project Genesis

As part of the terms of the T-Mobile/Sprint merger – Dish Wireless is building out their own 5G nationwide network to become the 4th carrier. In June 2022 they officially launched in 120+ cities with nationwide roaming.

  • We picked up their Netgear Nighthawk M6 hotspot device with a $20/month unlimited data plan. However, they stopped offering this plan in 2023.
Coverage? App

For planning our travels around cellular connectivity, in 2010 we actually wrote an app for that!

Coverage? is available for iOS and Android, and allows you to create you own personal coverage map based on your carriers and preferred signal type.

All maps are stored on device and updated throughout the year – so you can look up coverage even when you don’t have any.

Guide: How to Find Cellular Coverage in your travels

Data Plans as a ‘Home Internet Replacement”

A struggle with cellular internet however is finding affordable data plans that can serve as a home/office internet replacement on the road. While the carriers now offer home internet plans for fixed locations, they only do this in markets they have excess capacity to spare – and you can’t move locations with them.

For us mobile travelers, they still need to manage their capacity across multiple markets.

We spend a lot of time tracking plans as they come and go and advising travelers on how to best utilize them. And our premium members get alerts from us when we detect plans coming and going to make sure they can snag the deals while available.

The options for cellular data are constantly shifting, here’s our CURRENT Top Pick Data Plans for each carrier:

Top Pick Cellular Data Plans

Stay in the Know: We get alerts out to our premium members of the Mobile Internet Resource Center when we hear about a new plan coming or going so they can jump on sweet plans before they retire. We also offer a free newsletter covering mobile internet news on a monthly basis.

Related Guides:

  • The Best Data Plans for RVers & Cruisers
  • Guide to Getting LOTS of Data
  • The Major US Carriers — Which is Best for RVers?
  • Considerations for Selecting Cellular Data Plans

Signal Enhancing: Cellular Antennas & Boosters

Doing in-the-field signal testing from our vintage bus conversion.

Since cellular data is the primary way we get online, optimizing our signal for the best performance is super important.

Boosters and antennas can take a weak signal and make it much more stable – resulting in a more solid connection and faster data speeds.

They can be like magic, allowing us to stay in an idyllic campsite or anchorage much longer than we could otherwise.

There are a lot of options on the market, and cellular signal enhancing for best data performance is a complex topic that requires some basic understanding.

Our guide: Understanding & Optimizing Your Cellular Data Performance

Antenna Only Solutions (MIMO)

We often find that direct wired antennas, especially in a MIMO (multi in / multi out) configuration can usually outperform boosters in many signal conditions.

MIMO is an important modem technology that utilizes multiple antennas to get a better signal, which current boosters circumvent.

Of course, antennas only work with devices that have antenna ports (another reason we prefer mobile hotspots & routers to smartphones for our primary cellular data).

We default to MIMO antennas in our own personal signal enhancing strategy and find that 90-95% of the time they give us the best results in any particular location.

  • For our boat, we have the Peplink Maritime 40G ($649 – provided by MobileMustHave.com) 4×4 antenna, and we still keep the Poynting OMNI 402 Mast Antenna 2×2 ($349 – provided by MobileMustHave.com). It’s just been too much work to re-wire in a second 4×4 option, so we just use two of Peplink’s paddle antennas directly on the router on that modem.
  • For our van, we have the Pepwave Mobility 42G  ($299 – provided by MobileMustHave.com) installed on the roof with 4×4 Cellular which feeds one of our routers. We also have the 4×4 higher gain omnidirectional Parsec Akita ($399 – provided by MobileMustHave.com) antenna that is mounted on a telescoping pole from MobileMustHave on our back ladder that provides connection to our second router.

  • For the RV/bus roof (seriously out-dated setup): we installed the Mobile Mark LMT401 ($256 – provided by 5GStore) many years ago – it’s a low profile non-5G MIMO antenna that we wire directly into a single modem low end cellular embedded router, ours also has a Wi-Fi antenna built in. We haven’t taken the time to upgrade the bus’ mobile internet setup, as it works ‘just fine’ for the short bits of time we’re together at our lot in Arizona. We usually just move our van’s setup into our casita and use that.

Mobile Cellular Boosters

Booster Basics.

A booster uses an external antenna that feeds signal collected from a cellular tower into an amplifier that boosts the signal. It then re-transmits the signal through an interior antenna.

They can help with better phone calls, but they’re usually not the right solution for cellular data.

 

 

And they’re pricey!

Quite honestly, a booster is perhaps the best signal enhancing option for data maybe 5-10% of the time – and we’re seeing that number go down over time as more cellular towers support 4×4 MIMO and the carriers expand the frequency bands they use that aren’t supported by boosters (including newer 5G bands).

And when used in moderate signal areas, they can actually DECREASE your download speeds (but increase your upload speeds).

But for those who depend on cellular data, they can be worthwhile to have onboard as an option to try – especially for devices without antenna ports, like smartphones. Or for folks doing a lot of uploads and video broadcasting. And sometimes, they just are the only way to get a usable enough signal to get online.

The weBoost Reach booster was released in May 2019, and in November 2020 finally came with our preferred antenna!

We do keep one around – they come in handy just often enough to merit the space. But if we didn’t already have one, we likely wouldn’t purchase one today.

Personal current choice: After lots of testing of almost every mobile booster and antenna combo on the market, we consider the weBoost Drive Reach RV kit ($499.99 – provided by weBoost. Purchase on: weBoost | Amazon) to be our top pick.

If you purchase direct with weBoost and save 5% with our affiliate discount code of weBoostMIRC 

More on Boosters (including other options on the market we test):
Mobile Cellular Boosters for RVs & Boats Overview

 

Related guides to cellular signal enhancing:

  • Understanding & Optimizing Your Cellular Data Performance
  • Cellular Boosters for RVs
  • Selecting a Cellular Antenna
  • Understanding MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output)
  • Selecting Antenna Cables, Connectors, and Adapters
  • Antenna Installation

Devices & iGadgets

We’re pretty much an all Apple household. We each have a MacBook for portability. We also have a collection of the latest iPhones and cellular enabled iPads. (All purchased on our own.)

Those are on cellular data plans we can also use the personal hotspot to get our computers online when away from home (or more common, Cherie uses to get work done while Chris is testing gear and has our network unstable.)

And our iPads are very useful cellular connected tool with dual SIMs and cheap unlimited plans to keep them connected for lots of video conferencing, streaming and navigation.


Mobile Internet Installation & Cabling

So just how do we route all these cables around?

Bus:

IMG_2786This allows us to more easily switch out cabling as needed, as we’re constantly changing out gear as we test and evolve our system.

When we replaced our refrigerator years ago, we took the opportunity to route conduit from the roof of the bus, through the fridge vent and then into our cabinetry to our tech cabinet.

For those who desire keeping their technology updated, we highly recommend taking the time & effort to route conduit from the roof to the tech cabinet – it makes a world of difference when it comes time to install new antennas or gear.

During our 2015 bus renovations, we also had the fridge vent converted to be an antenna hatch.

Chris installing antennas on our custom ‘hatch’ for a new round of testing.

Boat:

When needed, we just deploy an antenna on our flybridge. (Pictured here: BoatAnt by WirEng on the TechnoRV suction cup mount)

 

 

As we’ve done boat projects over the years, we also take the opportunity to run a wired network with ethernet.

And when doing our marine electronics installation in late 2017, we used the opportunity to run low loss coax cable for antennas from our radar arch to our tech cabinet for antennas.

Van:

The custom mounting plate we had made for our Travato's roof - shown the MobileMark and Pepwave Mobility 42G antennas.
The custom mounting plate we had made for our Travato’s roof – shown the MobileMark and Pepwave Mobility 42G antennas.

Our 2020.5 Travato GL comes standard equipped with a conduit running from the cabinet behind the TV to the roof – specifically designed for easily running cables (smart, Winnebago!).

We had a piece of galvanized steel custom cut (17″ x 41″, for less than $15) to mount to the luggage rack of the van that serves as our antenna mounting plate. We drilled a hole in the steel for feeding in cabling to the conduit. This has made a super flexible platform for testing out antennas as often as we do.

 

There’s lots of considerations however in your best installation options.

Related Guides: 

  • Installing Cellular & WiFi Antennas
  • Mobile Internet System Installation Considerations & The Tech Cabinet Approach

Do You Really Need This Much ??

No.. no ONE needs this much tech!!!

What will be ideal for you, will likely vary – but no, no one needs this much tech onboard. Remember, we test this stuff for a living and we have way way way too much of it.

And we don’t recommend just copying another blogger’s setup without really assessing if their needs are close enough to yours.

And besides, this stuff changes so often that you really need to look at what the current options are.

Even stuff 6 3 months old can be outdated now.

What will work best for you will be highly dependent upon your needs, your travel style, your RV or boat type, your budget, your technology comfort level and what existing setup you have.

In the second half of 2023, we took a 5 month van trip across country and recorded what worked at each location – we shared the results of the 47 unique stops in this blog post and video, showcasing how much redundancy can play a role:

Our Use Case

Kiki streaming 4K Bird Videos on YouTube.

We prefer to be places where Wi-Fi isn’t abundantly available (we mostly skip it even if it is).

We work with lots of web surfing, managing social media, research, email and most everything a business needs to do online. We do a LOT of video work (live casts, webinars, conferences and YouTube) and we love streaming TV & videos.

We easily use 200-300 GB of data a month.

Ok, maybe 400-500GB if we’re in a really good signal area and we have open time for streaming shows.

Having a strong cellular dependency works really well for us, especially if we plan our travels around connectivity. We’re often abundant in bandwidth with super fast speeds (10 – 50 mbps down, even 300-400 mbps down sometimes!)

But upload speeds are super important to us as we do so much work with large files that need to uploaded, and host several webinars a month.

We like the redundancy of multiple cellular networks and Starlink – there are places where one excels over the other.

We typically have usable connectivity 98-99% of the time these days.

We actually sometimes miss the days of forced offline time due to dead zones.

Here’s some additional use case guides you might find insightful:

  • Working Remotely with Mobile Internet Sources
  • Video Streaming Over Cellular & Wi-Fi: TV, Movies & Entertainment on the Go
  • Using Mobile Internet Options in a Stationary Setup
  • Online Gaming Over Mobile Internet
  • Homeschooling, Families & Kids Considerations with Mobile Internet
  • Example Mobile Internet Setups
  • International:
    • Going North to Alaska? 
    • International Mobile Internet Options
    • Keeping Connected in Mexico 
    • Keeping Connected in Canada
    • Keeping Connected in the Bahamas

More on Assessing your own mobile internet needs:
Before You Can Assemble a Mobile Internet Setup – You Must First Understand YOUR Unique Needs

Approaching Your Mobile Internet Solution & Sample Setups

 


Helping you Understand your Mobile Internet Options

After years of sharing about our own mobile internet connectivity, and answering lots of questions on it – we started a dedicated resource center at MobileInternetInfo.com in 2014 after writing the first edition of The Mobile Internet Handbook (now retired).

It is all funded by our premium members – the very folks who depend on our content. We have no 3rd party advertising, no sponsors and we don’t sell gear & plans. We like it that way.

Mobile Internet Aficionados is a community of fellow nomads utilizing mobile internet for their lifestyle. For their support they get insider tips, alerts, reviews, in-depth  guides, webinars, interactive guidance, vendor discounts and a classroom.

It’s because of their funding that we’re able to offer a lot of resources for free.

 

Here’s some further places you can tap into our resources:

  • Internet for RVers & Cruisers Facebook Group (FREE)– Got questions? Want to stay in the know? We host this free public Facebook group where we share news stories, articles and answer basic questions (our members get access to our private Facebook Group, Q&A forums and exclusive interactive webinars for more personalized guidance.)
  • Mobile Internet News Feed (FREE)– We track the industry news daily, and report things that might impact nomads. Check out the News Center, Subscribe via RSS or subscribe to our free monthly summary newsletter.
  • YouTube Channel  (FREE) – Our dedicated Mobile Internet Resource Center video channel (different than our personal Technomadia channel – which is all for fun). Subscribe and catch our free videos – from tips & tricks, mini guides and news stories.
  • Become a Mobile Internet Aficionados (aka MIA) – The MIA is the premium membership of the Mobile Internet Resource Center – designed to help those who consider mobile internet an important part of their lifestyle. We provide exclusive in-depth guides, classrooms, product overviews, interactive guidance, insider info, discounts and an alert newsletter.
  • Private Advising – Want an expert to look over your proposed setup before you click the buy button to help answer questions? Our members have access to book private sessions with our staff for an extra fee.

If this topic is important to you – we’d love to have you join us!

Use Discount Code ‘TechnomadiaRocks’ at Checkout to save $10 off a new MIA membership.

Sharing is Caring:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Boat Projects Boating Cruising / Boating (March 2017 - present) Featured Gear Mobile Technology RVing Tech Reviews Vintage Bus (June 2011 - present)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Wes Robertson says

    Jan 11, 2025 at 10:34 am

    Pulled the trigger yesterday on the MMH Road Warrior VR2 kit. This was a great article for helping me zero in on things to look at for optimizing connectivity options and cellular plans. Glad to hear your primary cellular plan is Roamlink.

    Reply
  2. garo Alexanian says

    Sep 3, 2020 at 10:37 pm

    Wow ! Cherie, we operate a non profit mobile low cost veterinary service for low income communities and have cameras with a Cradlepoint router and an “unlimited” T Mobile plan, which has become useless since Tmobile started “throttling” us down to 600 kb, rendering the cameras useless. We are willing to buy ANY plan to have unthrottled unlimited plan. Who would you suggest ?

    Reply
    • Cherie Ve Ard says

      Sep 4, 2020 at 3:04 pm

      Here’s our guide to the current top pick plans: http://www.rvmobileinternet.com/planpicks

      Reply
  3. Ron says

    May 17, 2020 at 5:11 pm

    Have you looked into the could be/maybe/possibly solution of Starlink? If so, what are your thoughts on it at this very very early stage for internet connectivity?

    Reply
    • Cherie Ve Ard says

      May 17, 2020 at 5:25 pm

      We are closely tracking Starlink. All of our satellite internet coverage can be found in our guide: http://www.rvmobileinternet.com/satellite

      Reply
  4. Paul Beaumont says

    Nov 14, 2019 at 2:43 pm

    What security camera do you use? We watch your you tube videos all the time. Thanks

    Reply
    • Cherie Ve Ard says

      Nov 15, 2019 at 11:57 am

      We are experimenting with a variety right now.

      Reply
  5. Jim McRae says

    Oct 25, 2019 at 12:02 am

    Have you tested the new T Mobile 600mhz (band 71) signal while camping and boondocking lately? It seems like a great solution for RVers but I can’t find anyone who has a compatible device that has tested it away from major cities to ask how it is working out for them.

    Reply
    • Cherie Ve Ard says

      Oct 25, 2019 at 12:35 am

      Yes, we have several devices with Band 71 in our testing arsenal.

      Reply
  6. Tricia says

    Mar 7, 2019 at 1:14 pm

    Thanks for the info and all the hard work! I did manage to get a Mobley with the unlimited data plan at $20 per month in January. It wasn’t easy. If it wasn’t for all the great tips from you and other RVers it never would have happened.

    Reply
  7. Karen Lueck says

    Feb 24, 2019 at 8:17 am

    Whew. That was a lot of into for my little brain. I have the old Verizon Unlimited plan (Legacy) that I’ve been tempted to give up a few times until I research the new “unlimited” plans. It’s difficult to keep up with all the changes. Thanks for a very detailed article. I think Kiki is a little spoiled having her own Tv channel. Our kitties have to resort to bird watching from the window. Of course they don’t live part time on a boat. Gotta keep the little darlings happy, don’t we?

    Reply
  8. Dave Staublin says

    Feb 21, 2019 at 7:00 pm

    I had no idea how many options there are, and how complicated (to me) that they can be! But your overview was easily understandable and I have a better understanding now. Thanks very much for your continued articles. I enjoy following your adventures.

    Reply
  9. Ruth says

    Feb 21, 2019 at 2:52 pm

    Good post! And as always, so appreciative of all the research you do to help us non-techies stay on-line, so happy we can continue our nomadic life with our work from home jobs.

    Reply
  10. stevezoller says

    Feb 21, 2019 at 11:13 am

    Thanks for the update. Very thorough. We use a Weboost with the small antenna. getting a Mimo antenna seems to be a next step.

    Reply
  11. David says

    Feb 20, 2019 at 8:41 pm

    Thanks for this excellent description of how you stay connected. I wish I could afford to invest in so many similar plans and pieces of equipment, but then my income isn’t tied to my connectivity 🙂 But, being a MIA subscriber has allowed us to keep connected, at the right cost point, the large majority of the time. However, I must admit that it was pretty nice when we were in Pinnacles Nat’l Park for 3 nights a couple of weeks ago — no connectivity at all (it’s a cellular dead zone) was pretty relaxing (plus it was cool to see the condors flying up close, but that’s another story…).

    Reply
    • Cherie Ve Ard says

      Feb 21, 2019 at 7:55 am

      It is nice to find those non-connectivity spots, isn’t it? Thanks for being MIA, so we can afford the time & expense of constantly testing this stuff for y’all.

      Reply
  12. Diane Borcyckowski says

    Feb 20, 2019 at 7:46 pm

    Even though much of this is way over my head, I think I have a better idea of what I need to pursue to be free of big bad Comcast and have real mobile connectivity. Love you guys, envy your life style and will one day have an rv again. I do have 2 cats and love your Kiki’s presence in this video. So I tipped her via Paypal. Love you too.

    Reply
    • Cherie Ve Ard says

      Feb 21, 2019 at 7:56 am

      Awww.. thank you so much! Kiki appreciates the extra treats, for sure.. she’ll be sure to snack on them with her next 4K bird video 🙂

      Reply
  13. Erica Hammer says

    Feb 20, 2019 at 5:23 pm

    So much fantastic information. Thanks for all you do – – I know you spend so much time on all of it, including getting it all down in writing so all of us can try to comprehend. I especially enjoyed the LTTE section.. Often try the Redvolution box, but now I guess I also need to try the zin option . Please continue your testing on LTTE and report your results!

    Reply
    • Cherie Ve Ard says

      Feb 21, 2019 at 7:57 am

      LTTE – the most important part of any mobile internet setup 😀

      Reply
  14. ron spradley says

    Feb 19, 2019 at 5:56 pm

    What an outstanding overview of mobile connectivity availability you have presented here. Many thanks for what you do.

    Reply
  15. Linda Sand says

    Feb 19, 2019 at 4:47 pm

    I got a kick out of the idea that Cherie uses cellular data when Shaun is messing with wifi stuff. But, that does stress the importance of back up systems when both partners are working. Or even when you are in an otherwise dead zone. I have sure appreciated having my phone act as a hot spot.

    Reply
    • Cherie Ve Ard says

      Feb 19, 2019 at 5:38 pm

      Redundancy, redundancy.. it’s so key to success on the road. Hmmm… Shaun? Is he my redundant back-up to Chris? 😉

      Reply
  16. Brett Burguard says

    Feb 19, 2019 at 3:20 pm

    So much helpful information, thank you! I really like how you include a video in the writtten post. The combination enhances the experience, whether you’re taking us along for the ride or sharing your knowledge as in this post. I appreciate all the effort and fun you two put into your site for us to enjoy and learn from.
    The redesign of the Mobile Internet Resource Center Site looks great! As do the shirts (I put an order in!).

    Reply
    • Cherie Ve Ard says

      Feb 19, 2019 at 5:37 pm

      Thanks so much for ordering a shirt.. and for appreciating the effort that goes into doing both blog & video versions. We agree, the end result is worth it.

      Reply
  17. John says

    Feb 19, 2019 at 1:49 pm

    Interesting! (Who knew Kiki used so much data!)

    Reply
    • Cherie Ve Ard says

      Feb 19, 2019 at 5:36 pm

      Cats…

      Reply
  18. Susan Bjerke says

    Feb 19, 2019 at 12:51 pm

    Thanks for this! That was a bunch of well written information!

    Reply
    • Cherie Ve Ard says

      Feb 19, 2019 at 5:34 pm

      Thank you Susan!

      Reply

This blog is fueled by YOUR enthusiasm. Your comments help inspire the next post.. don't be shy!Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to Technomadia!

technomadia
Chris Dunphy & Cherie Ve Ard - Technomadia.

Perpetually on the road since 2006 combining technology and travel (tech+nomad). Semi-retired now, working remotely runnng the Mobile Internet Resource Center - helping our nomadic community stay connected.

We currently split our time between our motoryacht slowing doing the Great Loop, our vintage bus in the west and a camper van to move between them.

Mobile Internet – It’s Our Passion!

We track and education on mobile internet options for RVers and cruisers as our 'day job'.

Visit our extensive resource center at: Mobile Internet Resource Center

To see our personal mobile internet setup:
Technomadia's Internet Setup

Our Newest Posts

Our Mobile Internet Setup for Boat & RV – 2025 Update (Abundant without Starlink!)

Jul 13, 2025 By Cherie Ve Ard 1 Comment

Cruising the Lower Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay – Crisfield, Pocomoke City, Onancock & Salisbury

Jun 28, 2025 By Cherie Ve Ard 2 Comments

Continuing to Cruise the Lower Chesapeake Bay – Wineries, Friends, Weather Windows and Crossing to the Eastern Shore

Jun 15, 2025 By Cherie Ve Ard 5 Comments

Sloopers – Slow Looping: Eight Years on the American Great Loop… and More to Go!

Jun 1, 2025 By Cherie Ve Ard 7 Comments

Lower Chesapeake Bay River Cruising – The York and Rappahannock: Great Loop Cruising

May 18, 2025 By Cherie Ve Ard 8 Comments

Our Resource Centers

  • RVing Resources

    All of our informational content in one place.

  • No Excuses: Go Nomadic

    Logistics of a nomadic life: domicile, finances, safety and more. 

  • Mobile Internet Recource Center

    Guides, Reviews & News about Mobile Internet Options for RVers & Boaters (our 'day job')

  • Interviews

    Our 'Ramblings' Series - tales with other nomads. 

  • Solar

    Solar Electrical Systems for RVs

  • Boondocking

    Getting Off Grid and into Wild Camping

  • Our Gear List

    The RVing & Boating gear we love and use. 

  • RV Workspaces

    Full Time RVing Workspaces

Our Travel Apps

We write mobile apps inspired by our own nomadic lifestyle.


Coverage?Coverage? directly overlays and compares cellular carrier data maps. Perfect for bandwidth hungry travelers!
Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US-UK_135x40 Get it on Google Play

US Public LandsUS Public Lands overlays BLM, Forest Service, NPS and public land boundary maps. Helping you utilize US national resources!
Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US-UK_135x40 Get it on Google Play

StatelinesState Lines tracks over 50 laws that change as you cross US state lines - beer, txt, seat belts, smoking, RVing, etc.
Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US-UK_135x40 Get it on Google Play

Footer

Fleet Status & Travel ‘Plans’

Boat: Comissioning - Virginia
Bus: In storage - Arizona
Van: Transportation - Virginia

Current Travel Segment:

Back in VA getting Y-Not ready to cruise north this spring and summer! Technomadia

Are we coming your way?

Be In Touch!
View our full Travel Map

Join Us – Be In Touch

Contact Us

YouTube

Facebook

BlueSky

RSS Feed

Subscribe to our Posts 

Archives

About This Website

This is our virtual living room - sharing here is our hobby, not our primary income source. Yup, we do this all for fun. We are self-funded and accept no sponsorships, advertising or guest posts.

Some links however may be affiliate links - they provide a little extra ka-ching to keep us motivated. Some items we may have received at no cost (always disclosed).

Our motivation is to share a slice of our mobile lifestyle and make new friends. Technomadia.com is provided for entertainment purposes only.

This content is copyrighted

We love it when you share our content, but please ask before copying it. Thanks!

Privacy Policy
Terms of Service & Disclosure

  • Mobile Internet
  • Solar
  • Lithium
  • Boondocking
  • Workspaces
  • Interviews
  • Gear
  • No Excuses
  • Videos
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d