Many of us will rely on internet in a caravan when we head off on tour. It’s not just so we can send our friends and family pictures of our touring adventures and keep in contact with them – the internet can also be required to keep an eye on your bank balance, pay for parking or access Google Maps if you need directions.
If you have one of the best caravans TVs and want to stream your current favourite series or a film in the evening, you’ll need to be able to get online too. In short, it’s become increasingly important to have a good internet connection in our tourers.
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How to get internet in a caravan
Connecting to the internet in a caravan
Achieving internet in a caravan
Using mobile data
What about using campsite Wi-Fi to connect to the internet in a caravan?
Which phone network should I choose?
Free Wi-Fi hotspots
How do I boost the signal in my caravan to get better internet?
Satellite internet
Connecting to the internet in a caravan
Many of us have a smartphone or tablet (or both) that can be used to browse the internet. However, while these offer a powerful method for getting on the internet, it’s worth being aware of the limits of these everyday devices. For instance, our smartphones have the battery, the screen, the processor, the SIM and the ports all competing with the aerial for space. As a result, the aerial space is likely to end up a bit limited at times.
This is where purchasing a more dedicated product comes in – pairing these with an aerial can ensure you achieve excellent internet. So long as you’re on the best network for the area you’re visiting, these can work well when paired with an appropriate SIM card.
Achieving internet in a caravan
Using your smartphone will be the simplest way to access the internet in a caravan – here, it will use a phone radio mast to access the network.
By doing this, you get the chance to access content in a couple of ways – you can either view it on your phone or, alternatively, send it to a laptop, tablet or any other compatible luxury caravan accessories you like to take on tour with you. The strength of the signal your phone receives will impact how well this works – it’s typically better in urban areas and less effective in more rural areas, due to the difference in the number of phone masts generally found in the former.
Using mobile data
When we’re at home, we’ll typically be on our domestic Wi-Fi network. However, once you’re away from it, you will, instead, be relying on mobile data to access the internet, which is done by streaming from the nearest phone mast. How much data you get varies based on what you’re using the internet for – for instance, occasionally checking emails or contacting friends and family will not take up too much data.
If you happened to use Google Maps for the day, you would get through about 40MB of data per hour. In contrast, as a ballpark figure, streaming a film will take around 2GB of data.
You can get an idea of your data usage by looking at the history of your phone (generally found in Settings) – once you’ve ascertained this, you’ll be well-placed to pick the SIM card you require.
If you’re planning to buy a SIM card specifically for use when you’re enjoying a tour in your caravan, a pay-as-you-go card which is loaded with data credit is worth considering.
What about using campsite Wi-Fi to connect to the internet in a caravan?
If you’ve enjoyed a stay at one of the best caravan sites before, you’ll have noticed many provide Wi-Fi, either in the pitch fee or as an extra.
However, the problem with connecting at campsites is that they’re often in rural areas, meaning the internet speed is limited by the site’s connection and the number of people online. Reception can vary from pitch to pitch, too. We’ve experienced fairly patchy Wi-Fi and slow downloads on many sites.
There is a solution though. Combine an extra aerial with a dedicated Wi-Fi box, otherwise known as a MiFi device. These are effective on sites where your pitch is a distance from the Wi-Fi mast, and if you’re pitched up on a site with no Wi-Fi, it can be used to receive signal from phone masts that are further away.
Which phone network should I choose?
Start by looking at your mobile network provider – you’ll then be able to compare the coverage it offers with other providers. As you’ll require a separate SIM to run the device, you’re not going to be limited to your phone network either. What you’re looking for is the provider who will ensure the best coverage for your area, as well as the best SIM-only deal.
The main mobile phone networks are EE, O2, Vodaphone and Three, with the other providers piggybacking off of one of these like this:
- EE: BT Mobile, The Phone Co-op, Plusnet Mobile, Utility Warehouse and Vectone Mobile
- O2: GiffGaff, Lycamobile, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile, Virgin Mobile
- Three: iD Mobile, Smarty, Superdrug Mobile
- Vodafone: Asda Mobile, Lebara, Talkmobile, Voxi
Once you know which of the big four your provider will be using, you can check a coverage map to ensure you’re picking the right one. There are other brands popping up all the time, but make sure you know the provider they are using, so you can check the coverage.
If your current contract is coming to an end and you’ve paid off the handset, you should either negotiate a SIM-only deal or a reduction in how much you pay each month, particularly if you’re going to be paying over £20 for a basic SIM card.
You may have heard talk of ‘99% network coverage’ – this is a reference to population centres as opposed to physical geographical network coverage. The four major network providers are committed to providing good 4G coverage for 95% of the UK by early 2027, with Ofcom’s current map showing there’s a way to go. It’s worth noting Scotland and parts of Wales can have patchy coverage.
It’s not just 4G either – the same issue occurs with 5G too. While it can be faster in many cities, it’s hit and miss in some rural areas, particularly Cumberland, Wales and Scotland.
Free Wi-Fi hotspots
You’ll likely have noticed that there are many cafés and takeaways across the UK which offer free Wi-Fi. However, before connecting, check the terms and conditions involved, as well as how secure it is.
What you get can differ by quite a bit. In some cases, you’ll have to make do with a slow connection speed, something which can be further exacerbated if lots of people are using it simultaneously.
How do I boost the signal in my caravan to get better internet?
Boosting internet speed in a caravan can be done in several ways, with one of the most effective being to create a virtual Wi-Fi spot.
One issue with getting a good internet connection in a caravan is its metal structure can block radio signals from coming in – in short, the Faraday cage effect. This is where using either a boosting aerial inside your type of caravan or fitting an external aerial comes in.
With the latter, you can fit it permanently onto the roof of your van if you so desire. Alternatively, if you’d rather have it there temporarily, you can use suction cups to apply it to the bodywork or opt for a removable bracket.
You can then pair these aerials with a mobile hotspot device (a MiFI), to improve the signal coming in from the phone mast.
Masts will broadcast data streams via a radio signal, so using booster aerials and MiFi boxes provides a practical solution to achieving a Wi-Fi network for use by the whole family.
You’ll find a MiFi device can create a better internet connection than you would get from a phone hotspot too, as it’s designed solely to do that. I actually conducted some speed tests to see the difference between my phone and a MiFi box – the phone was significantly outperformed.
A leading brand in this field is Motorhome WiFi. As well as supplying many makes of caravan directly, it provides Wi-Fi boxes and aerials that are designed for vehicles.
This includes roof-mounted aerials, which are linked to dedicated MiFi boxes to create a strong mobile hotspot for use in our tourers.
The more basic 4G systems start from £320. Coming with a smart aerial and a MiFi box, these are capable of reaching a download speed of up to 600Mbps and can connect to up to 32 devices.
The brand also offers the 5G Now Compact Pro, its flagship product which is priced at £650. Offering Wi-Fi speeds of up to 3.8Gbps and a range of 25-50m, it can be connected to up to 32 devices simultaneously.
The standalone Motorhome WiFi boxes are also suitable for use in your home if they’re paired with a freestanding or a permanent aerial, before being moved to your tourer when you need it.
For those after a more budget option, there is the Falcon Technology 4G Combo. An all-in-one aerial and MiFi unit, it can be fitted to the side of your tourer by using the supplied mounting bracket or suction cups. It’s then plugged into either a 12V socket or a mains plug. This can be used to achieve download speeds of up to 150Mbps and works with up to 10 gadgets.
Prices vary from £219 to £255. Falcon also offers a range of Wi-Fi kit options, which work with both 4G and 5G.
Satellite internet
Starlink is a relatively new form of the internet, with the satellite internet constellation run by SpaceX. The ground-based phone mast network is not involved – instead, so long as you can see the sky, you will be able to get a signal. However, do note that tall buildings or trees by your pitch could impact the signal.
The Starlink system offers download speeds of between 100-230Mbps in the UK, but there’s no getting away from the cost or the bulkiness of the satellite dish.
The Starlink Roam system includes a freestanding satellite dish with a base that is then linked to a supplied router – all of the necessary cables are provided with it.
As well as this, Starlink produces a roof-mounted satellite dish which can be attached permanently. These cost £449 for the kit, while the unlimited mobile data package is £85 a month, with a £75 home package available too.
There’s also a flagship Starlink system, which includes a mobile priority package. This is primarily aimed at coastal applications and costs from £206 to £4,038 per month.
The final word on caravan internet
There’s no best method for successfully connecting to the internet in a caravan. However, we’d say having a mobile phone network linked to a MiFi box with a booster aerial is a good method for improving things, without having to break the bank. We’d advise making sure the SIM card network is checked in advance and ensuring the usage rate works for you when you’re choosing though.
Are you looking for the right television for your tourer? We’re on hand to help, as we answer “do you need a special TV for a caravan“.
Lead image: Getty
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