Leanne Posted July 27, 2023 Report Share Posted July 27, 2023 Hello fellow RVers! I am a new member and am new to this forum. I also just got my first RV! I want to hit the road and plan on boondocking and being in remote places but still want to stay connected. What is the best, and most economical, way to have reliable cell phone and internet connectivity while traveling around the country? What are some factors to consider in making a decision? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted July 27, 2023 Report Share Posted July 27, 2023 We can all tell you what we have done but many of us are not particularly current. The place to get the most current information is https://www.rvmobileinternet.com. This RVing couple evaluates all the gadgets then recommends what works best. They've been doing this for years and are trustworthy. Linda Sand Quote Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Heiser Posted July 27, 2023 Report Share Posted July 27, 2023 We have an Insty Connect system with a dual sim modem. We currently only have one sim from AT&T in it. It works in most places, but not everywhere. One of these days I may add a second sim from Verizon or T-mobile to it to add to our potential coverage. This system is nice because it is always on and always communicating (assuming there is AT&T coverage). But even if there is no coverage, it is still creating a local network that all my devices can connect to. For when we don’t have cell coverage, we also have Starlink. It can work stand alone, but I use it through the Insty Connect router to add connectivity to the existing Insty Connect network in my rig when there is no cell coverage. This way all my devices stay connected to the Insty Connect network and I don’t have to switch them over to the Starlink network. The Starlink needs 120 volt power. Insty Connect will work on 12 volt or 120 volt and I have mine running on 12 volt so it stays on all the time. The Starlink needs to be set up at each location and taken down before moving to the next. The Insty Connect router can actually be set up to automatically use multiple networks/sims. In my case it can use Starlink and/or the AT&T sim automatically depending on what is available and has the best bandwidth (based on software settings through an interface developed by Insty Connect). This setup works really well and basically gives me connectivity with plenty of bandwidth to do anything I want from pretty much anywhere. Quote 2009 Volvo 670 with dinette/workstation sleeper - Walter 2017 DRV Mobile Suite 40KSSB4 with factory mods, dealer mods and personal mods - now in the RV graveyard 2022 DRV Full House MX450 with customized floor plan 2018 Polaris RZR Turbo S (fits in the garage) 2016 Smart Car (fits in the garage or gets flat towed behind the DRV when the RZR is in the garage) My First Solar Install Thread My Second Solar Install Thread & Photos and Documents Related to the build My MX450's solar, battery and inverter system - my biggest system yet! chadheiser.com West Coast HDT Rally Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Second Chance Posted July 27, 2023 Report Share Posted July 27, 2023 I second Linda's recommendation for reading on rvmobileinternet.com. They are the go-to people on this topic. The sticking point in your question is "remote places." Although Verizon has the best 4G coverage nationwide, there are many places you can't get coverage with any of the carriers - and the more remote the more likely that is. With Starlink, you can have internet wherever you can see the sky and you have power for the system. It's pricey, though. I've not done it, but I'm guessing you can set up VOIP for phone service that way, too. We have a grandfathered unlimited data plan on a Verizon 4G MiFi hotspot that has served us well for a long time... but we don't boondock. Rob Quote 2012 F350 CC LB DRW 6.7 2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS, disc brakes, solar, DP windows Full-time since 8/2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leanne Posted August 1, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2023 Thanks friends! Some valuable information. I will check out the Intsy Connect and the website. Happy Trails! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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