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Roaming The Digital Highway: WiFi Routers And Internet Services For Campervans!

Roaming The Digital Highway: WiFi Routers And Internet Services For Campervans!

In an age where connectivity is as essential as the open road itself, the quest for reliable internet services on the go has become a top priority for modern travelers. Whether you're a seasoned road tripper, a digital nomad, or a weekend adventurer in your camper van, the ability to stay connected while venturing into the wild is a game-changer. In this blog, we'll highlight our choice of internet routers/services for camper vans, exploring the best solutions to keep you online, streaming, working, and sharing your incredible moments, even in the world’s most remote corners.

Cellular Internet: How Does It Work?

Cellular internet, also known as mobile broadband, operates through a complex network of interconnected cell towers and antennas that cover vast geographic areas. These cell towers are equipped with radio equipment and antennas, enabling them to communicate wirelessly with mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. When a user accesses the internet on their mobile device, the data is transmitted as radio waves from the device to the nearest cell tower. From there, the data is routed through a series of interconnected networks, including fiber optic cables and satellite links, to reach the Internet infrastructure. The cellular network assigns a unique identifier to each user device, allowing data packets to be sent and received accurately. The process involves various protocols and technologies, such as LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and 5G, which ensure efficient and high-speed data transmission, enabling seamless internet connectivity on the go.

Other Services:

Booster:
Many people believe to get the best data speeds in a vehicle or remote location you need a booster. These boosters can be very expensive and have some major downsides people are unaware of. When a booster is active it cancels out any carrier aggregation and multiple channels that would occur dramatically cutting data speeds.

A booster still may have a place in your mobile setup but should be reserved for use only when you have an extremely poor connection or no connection at all. If you have a mobile router setup or a device you can plug antennas into a roof-mounted or external antenna, which probably is the best solution and a better investment than a booster. When you use better antennas you are not limiting the amount of channels you connect to and will get the best data speeds possible.

Starlink and Satellite Internet:
Currently, a standard Starlink dish is almost two feet across, has a huge amount of cables, and has big power requirements of 110w+ (for reference our mobile router consumes under 10w). If the dish is pulled out and stowed each time when stopped during travel, it will more than likely have issues with the cabling as the connectors are fragile with damaged cables and corroded connectors on the dish side or these wires being pulled out of the board entirely rendering the dish useless. Another disadvantage is the cost, $599 up front and $130/mo. The in-motion dish is twice the size which takes up a lot of roof real estate on your rig costs roughly $2500!

Starlink is revolutionary in terms of the internet for off-grid remote living situations where you can’t get wired internet and is probably a better long-term solution. However, it still has some issues with frequent micro-disconnects where you’ll drop and re-establish a connection which could interrupt what you are doing online. Having a cellular connection as a backup or in addition may still be advisable.

Moxie Recommended Internet Routers + Antenna From Epic Off-Grid:

EPIC Off-Grid AX3000 LTE/5G WiFi 6 Dual SIM Router:
Perfectly suited for camper vans, RVs and any other rig looking for on-the-go connectivity. This router features a Snapdragon X62-based chip modem to give the best data speeds available. It supports B71, which is great for T-Mobile users and supports all current sub-6 5G standards. It works great with all cellular carriers worldwide and uses WiFi 6, the newest current standard which allows for the best WiFi speeds and range. This unit has Dual SIM slots to easily switch between 2 carriers.

This router was made with mobile travel in mind as it has a wall-mounted bracket that can easily be installed to keep the unit secure while also easily sliding out for use away from the rig. It's simple enough to plug in and forget about but also includes a vast amount of features for advanced users who want to band lock or use multiple connections for load balance or failover. Supports OpenVPN & Wireguard VPN services.

The included antennas provide exceptional performance and it is recommended to use the router with those before opting to drill holes for a roof-mounted antenna. However, roof-mounted antennas provide the best signals possible in areas where coverage might be sparse. To purchase a roof-mounted antenna click here.

Included with the router is an AC adapter to plug into a standard 120v outlet. However, a barrel connector to hardwire adapter is available if it is desired to hardwire directly to 12V/24V fusebox. Also included is an AX3000 Cat20/5G WiFi 6 Router, a 120V AC adapter, 4x Cellular Antennas, 2x WiFi Antennas, an Ethernet Cord, a Manual, and a Wall Mount Kit.

Epic Off-Grid Pro 4G/5G Router:
The Epic Pro Router is truly a no-compromise device and is compatible with all cellular carriers worldwide. Designed for automotive applications housed in a rugged metal case, it accepts 12 or 24V DC power input via an included cord with easy-to-connect fork terminals. Extremely low average power draw of around 6W and max of 12W means you can leave the internet active in your Van/Camper/RV full time without worry.

Available with multiple modem options that blow the competition away. The included Cat16 modem is a great bang for the buck and you'll see speeds near the fastest available from a tower currently. The Cat20/5G modem option adds support for even more carrier aggregation and 5G bands, putting your router on the cutting edge of cellular technology that achieves the fastest speeds possible from a tower and is ready for continued improvements as 5G is rolled out and improved upon.

Parsec Belgian Shepherd 6-IN-1 Antenna
Low-Profile, 5G, PLTE, 4X4 MIMO LTE, 2X2 MIMO Wi-Fi, IP67-rated External Antenna

The Belgian Shepherd Series antennas are high-performance, 5G, 600-6000MHz antennas, available with 4X4 MIMO LTE, 4X4 MIMO Wi-Fi, and GPS. The Belgian Shepherd Series antennas are perfect for mobile and fixed wireless applications.

This antenna is a great fit for our Epic AX3000 router or the Epic Pro. It has 4x Cellular 4G/5G leads, 2x WiFi. 1 Foot leads, with selectable extension lengths.

You'll want to gauge the roof mounting location for your antenna with the distance to the router when selecting your wire extensions. Shorter is better for signal strength. This antenna mounts better on most van roofs with it's long rectangle design.

Dimensions - 2.44 inch X 3.75 inch X 14.90 inch

Plans And Services:
Verizon ($69.95/month) - unlimited (non-throttled) internet

Verizon Plus ($89.95/month) - has the highest data priority for first 35GB and full 1080p HD video streaming.