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communication:internet [2022/05/26 17:49]
princess_fluffypants [Satellite Internet] |
communication:internet [2022/08/18 14:42]
princess_fluffypants Added WeBoost Blurb |
| ==== Carriers ==== | ==== Carriers ==== |
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| * **Verizon** dominates the RV/vandweller market because it has the most coverage, including out-of-the-way places. This makes it the most popular carrier among nomads and [[camping:dispersed|boondockers]]. Verizon is infamous for being expensive and for doing jerky things like limiting built-in features on their phones. It can be a bit of a love-hate relationship ((it's just hate)). | * **Verizon** dominates the RV/vandweller market because it has the most coverage, including out-of-the-way places. This makes it the most popular carrier among nomads and [[camping:dispersed|boondockers]]. Verizon is infamous for being expensive and for doing jerky things like limiting built-in features on their phones. It can be a bit of a love-hate relationship ((There is no love, it's just hate)). |
| * **AT&T** and **T-Mobile** are about equal -- full coverage near cities and spottier coverage in the boonies. One advantage to these carriers is that their SIM cards can be put in any unlocked GSM phone. | * **AT&T** and **T-Mobile** are about equal -- full coverage near cities and spottier coverage in the boonies. One advantage to these carriers is that their SIM cards can be put in any unlocked GSM phone. |
| * **Sprint** is rarely used due to minimal coverage | * **Sprint** is rarely used due to minimal coverage |
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| === Cellular Routers === | === Cellular Routers === |
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| | {{:communication:verizon-certified-automatic-failover-single-cellular-router-max-br1-mk2-2-1800x0-c-default.png?250 |}} |
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| Bigger versions of "Hotspot" devices, they offer more speed and capabilities at a higher cost. They typically have external antenna connection options, and sometimes the ability to bond multiple connection types together at once. Functionally they offer similarity to a consumer home Wi-Fi router, with the addition that you can stick a SIM card in them for internet instead of needing to plug them into your cable modem. | Bigger versions of "Hotspot" devices, they offer more speed and capabilities at a higher cost. They typically have external antenna connection options, and sometimes the ability to bond multiple connection types together at once. Functionally they offer similarity to a consumer home Wi-Fi router, with the addition that you can stick a SIM card in them for internet instead of needing to plug them into your cable modem. |
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| === Professional equipment === | === Professional equipment === |
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| | {{ :communication:cp.jpg?direct&300|}} |
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| [[https://www.cradlepoint.com|Cradlepoint]] dominates the professional end of the market. Their equipment is extremely durable, very powerful, and comes with a completely baller cloud-management interface. They also have full enterprise-grade support, which is a shell-shock for people who've never experienced what //real// tech support is like. | [[https://www.cradlepoint.com|Cradlepoint]] dominates the professional end of the market. Their equipment is extremely durable, very powerful, and comes with a completely baller cloud-management interface. They also have full enterprise-grade support, which is a shell-shock for people who've never experienced what //real// tech support is like. |
| These are commonly used commercially to provide wifi or data in buses, trains, delivery vans, and are targeted to companies with hundreds of vehicles. Because of this they are a lot more expensive than consumers are accustomed to, and much more complicated to set up. They are intended to be deployed and managed by IT professionals, and to be used with [[https://panorama-antennas.com/site/High-Performance-4x4-MiMo-Antennas|roof-mounted antennas]] which can add complexity to a build. | These are commonly used commercially to provide wifi or data in buses, trains, delivery vans, and are targeted to companies with hundreds of vehicles. Because of this they are a lot more expensive than consumers are accustomed to, and much more complicated to set up. They are intended to be deployed and managed by IT professionals, and to be used with [[https://panorama-antennas.com/site/High-Performance-4x4-MiMo-Antennas|roof-mounted antennas]] which can add complexity to a build. |
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| {{:communication:cp.jpg?direct&200 |}} | If you have the budget and knowledge for it, the [[https://cradlepoint.com/product/endpoints/ibr1700/|Cradlepoint IBR1700]] is extremely capable. It's ruggedized and designed to stand up to vehicle motion and vibration, and will run off of anything from 9-36v DC (it comes with a pigtail connector to wire into your battery system). It has a 4x4 MIMO cellular radio with the option to add a second, giving the ability to run two different SIM cards from two different providers and load-balance across them both at the same time. It also has three Wi-Fi radios (4x4 5GHz, 2x2 5GHz, and 2x2 2.4GHz), and supports a native "WiFi-as-WAN" functionality. |
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| If you have the budget and knowledge for it, the [[https://cradlepoint.com/product/endpoints/ibr1700/|Cradlepoint IBR1700]] is almost intentionally built for van life. It's ruggedized and designed to stand up to vehicle motion and vibration, and will run off of anything from 9-36v DC (it comes with a pigtail connector to wire into your battery system). It has a 4x4 MIMO cellular radio with the option to add a second, giving the ability to run two different SIM cards from two different providers and load-balance across them both at the same time. It also has three Wi-Fi radios (4x4 5GHz, 2x2 5GHz, and 2x2 2.4GHz), and supports a native "WiFi-as-WAN" functionality. | A good installation guide is here: [[https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/sprinter-wifi-on-board/]] |
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| Unfortunately they are also very expensive, typically [[https://rcntechnologies.com/shop/cradlepoint-cor-ibr1700-netcloud-package-cat18-cat12-lte-router/|$1,500 for a single-radio setup]] and an additional $500 for the second radio. Their capabilities are unbeatable though. | Unfortunately they are also very expensive, typically [[https://rcntechnologies.com/shop/cradlepoint-cor-ibr1700-netcloud-package-cat18-cat12-lte-router/|$1,500 for a single-radio setup]] and an additional $500 for the second radio and the antennas can run upwards of $400. Their capabilities are unbeatable though. |
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| ---- | ---- |
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| | ===== Cellular Boosters ===== |
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| | {{:communication:weboost.png?nolink&200 |}} |
| | These devices try to amplify incoming cellular signals, and re-transmit them at a stronger strength. WeBoost is a popular brand. |
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| | Real world performance is somewhat of a mixed bag. They can help in a few specific situations, but in many other situations they will make performance worse or result in even slower speeds. Much of this is because while modern cell phones (and cellular routers) can typically bond together multiple data streams at the same time for a greater overall throughput, a WeBoost can only pick up an amplify a single data stream. Cruiser and R/V forums and youtube are full of comparison articles and videos doing side-by-side tests. |
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| | The short answer is that for how much a WeBoost costs, the gains are extremely limited. It's usually better to put the money towards a Cradlepoint or Peplink router with a good roof-mounted antenna, as that will generally give better performance in a wider variety of scenarios. |
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| ===== WiFi ===== | ===== WiFi ===== |
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| * [[https://www.technomadia.com/|TechNomadia]] are experts in mobile connectivity, and have [[https://www.rvmobileinternet.com|a dedicated website]] for sharing that information. | * [[https://www.technomadia.com/|TechNomadia]] are experts in mobile connectivity, and have [[https://www.rvmobileinternet.com|a dedicated website]] for sharing that information. |
| | * [[https://ridingroadsandtrails.com/sprinter-wifi-on-board/]] Has some good information on doing internet in a van |
