How to Get a Reliable Internet Connection in a Motorhome

In this day and age, where it seems like the internet controls our lives and smartphones are the primary mode of communication, it might be considered essential to have a strong internet connection in your motorhome in order to stay current with news, communicate with loved ones, and use our devices for navigation while on the road.

You will be relieved to learn that establishing a reliable connection to the internet inside your motorhome is achievable through the use of either 4G or Wi-Fi. You have access to a variety of choices now available on the market, but it's important that you conduct research on each of these choices in order to select the system that best meets your requirements and preferences.

Getting set up on the internet

Without a SIM card, you will be unable to use mobile data to connect to the internet and instead will need to connect to an existing Wi-Fi signal if you want to use the internet on your devices.

It is possible for a device to access the internet and serve as a data point by having a SIM card installed. This allows the device to provide a Wi-Fi connection to other devices that are using a hotspot. This is where routers and internet dongles come into play.

You can gain access to the internet by making use of a SIM card by enrolling in one of the many data-only SIM plans offered by service providers such as EE, O2, Vodafone, and Giff Gaff, amongst others.

How do you set up a hotspot on a mobile phone?

If you have a mobile phone and a data plan and you want to use this to connect your laptop or any other device that is without an internet connection, it’s a simple process to do. Head to the ‘settings’ app on your phone and look for ‘personal hotspot’, normally situated in the main menu but may also be hidden away in your mobile data settings.

Once located, turn it on and follow the instructions on the screen. It’s important to set a password so that unwanted visitors cannot access your connection and use your data.

Then, changing to the item you want to connect to the internet, such as a tablet or laptop, head to the Wi-Fi settings and look for the network you have just created using your mobile phone. Sign in using the password you have created, and you should be connected!

It is important to keep in mind that in order for this to work, your mobile device must possess both a strong signal and a strong connection to mobile data. This connection will consume the data you have on your mobile phone contract.

Maximising signal strength

Maximising your signal strength is important if you want to have faster download speeds, and browse the internet at a quicker pace, especially if you're looking to stream TV shows or movies from your favourite streaming service.

There are a few ways you can achieve this:

Use a Wi-Fi booster or extender: With the use of an additional antenna, this gadget will assist in improving the strength and signal of an existing Wi-Fi connection, such as the connection provided by a campsite.

Think about where you park: If you are going to use the Wi-Fi that is supplied by the park where you are staying, it might be in your best interest to park as close as you possibly can to the originating point of the Wi-Fi signal, which is usually in the main building at the park, although not always. Doing so will provide you with the opportunity to receive a signal that is more robust. It may also help to try and park in a spot that is as far away as possible from obstructions like walls, trees, and other motorhomes which can impede the reception you get.

Reduce the number of devices connected to the Wi-Fi: Connecting only those devices to the Wi-Fi that you are actually making use of at the moment will help to alleviate pressure on the signal by preventing it from being split between multiple devices. This will result in the device you are using hopefully receiving a stronger signal.