Reliable internet for working remotely from an RV

What kind of internet setup is reliable for working remotely from an RV? Well, that really depends on where you go and how you choose to camp. Varying factors can affect your internet.

Primary internet options

For reliable internet while working remotely from an RV, a combination of cellular data, satellite internet, and public wifi offers the best balance for mobility, coverage, and speed. Cellular data is the go-to solution due to its widespread availability and fast 4G/5G speeds, making it ideal for tasks like Zoom calls and file uploads. Satellite internet, particularly Starlink, shines in remote areas where cell signals are weak, while public wifi at campgrounds or hotspots can serve as a low-cost backup, though it’s often slow and insecure.

Gaming? Well, good luck with all the options. It also depends on the kind of game and your location. Shooters are obviously going to demand the best ping. Latency can get questionable with any of these options. With Starlink, it will also depend on your priority, which usually incurs an extra charge.

If you’ve made it this far, I’ll break these options down a little further with some serious considerations.

Cellular data

The other thing you have to take into account is location. Using only cellular, which is often cheaper than Starlink, requires you to be in areas with good service. This isn’t always possible. And just because you have bars, doesn’t mean the service is good. In remote areas, it’s easy for the towers to be overloaded.

Adding a rooftop cellular antenna or booster, such as Weboost, can amplify weak signals in rural areas, though boosters cost $500+ and are less effective without a base signal. This setup ensures fast, secure, and mobile connectivity, but may struggle in remote locations with no cell coverage. Remember, it can’t boost what’s not there.

You must also consider the carriers. I started out with Verizon but the service went downhill in many of the areas that used to be good. So, I swapped to Starlink (since have dropped down to 50/gb/month because of the costs).

When selecting a cellular service for RV remote work, nationwide coverage, especially in rural areas, is critical due to the mobility and diverse locations involved. Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are the top three carriers, each with strengths and weaknesses. Verizon generally offers the best nationwide coverage, particularly in rural areas, while AT&T is a close second, and T-Mobile excels in 5G but lags in rural 4G LTE reliability. You’ll also have to consider if you want a standalone hotspot or just hotspot from your phone.

Satellite internet with Starlink

With Starlink, you need to point toward the north in the Northern Hemisphere and the south in the Southern Hemisphere. Starlink requires a clear, unobstructed view of the sky covering a wide field of view, approximately 100–120 degrees from the center of the dish’s position. Obstructions like trees, buildings, mountains, or even RV awnings within this field of view can cause signal drops. Even partial obstructions like a single tree branch can cause significant signal drops, reducing reliability for remote work tasks like video calls. This also applies to phone calls using wifi calling.

Starlink Roam Unlimited provides high-speed internet (up to 220 Mbps, but sometimes more) for boondocking in areas without cellular service. The Starlink Mini dish ($349) is portable and suitable for RV use, requiring a clear sky view without tree cover. Plans cost $165/month for unlimited data or $50/month for 50GB, with beefed-up in-motion use requiring pricier equipment ($2500+). While Starlink offers reliable speeds and 99.9% uptime, its high upfront cost and sensitivity to obstructions like trees can be drawbacks, as it will limit the places you can camp. They have introduced a 10GB plan as well. Just remember, listening to music, using wifi calling, or watching videos will eat through your internet faster.

Another consideration is power usage. It draws between 40-100 watts or so (depends on which dish you have) during normal operation. That is around 0.96–2.4 kWh/day. So, plan accordingly.

Speaking of power, in the USA, solar panels should generally face south to maximize energy production, as this direction receives the most sunlight throughout the day in the Northern Hemisphere. This is particularly important for RV remote work to ensure sufficient power for everything you use. Sometimes, it is hard to get clear views of both southern and northern skies. It also often means less shade, depending on your solar setup (roof-mounted vs ground). You can get a 150-foot Starlink cable to run from the dish inside, but it’s for the standard dish. Be sure to get the appropriate cables for the appropriate dish (Gen 2, Gen 3).

As far as weather, I’ve never had trouble during thunderstorms or monsoon rains. But others have experienced some disconnects. Overall, it has been very reliable, but it is just expensive.

And yes, here is a shameless plug for a Starlink referral. If you get a system from Starlink.com through my link, we’ll both get a free month of service. It must be purchased directly from Starlink.

Public wife as a fallback

Public wifi from campgrounds or nearby hotspots (such as a restaurant) is a low-cost option but often unreliable for remote work due to slow speeds and limited range. A wifi extender can boost weak signals, but performance drops significantly beyond a few hundred feet, and security risks make it unsuitable for sensitive tasks. It’s best used as a backup when cellular or satellite options are unavailable.

In the end…

What works best for you is going to depend on where you go, how far you are away from backup internet, and your budget. I no longer have Starlink unlimited and turn it off outside of working hours (which have sadly faded to almost nothing).