We often work and publish Truck Camper Magazine from the road. Mostly we work in our camper, but sometimes I’ll write or develop graphics in the passenger’s seat as Angela drives. Angela will work on editing interviews or updating dealer inventory as I drive. Even better, we both get to work when Harley drives. Just kidding. He’s retired.
For us, working from the road is made possible thanks to the magic of cellular internet. With a Verizon Jetpack MIFI mobile cellular internet hotspot, we have published from coast to coast over the past eight years. We are consistently amazed at where we get high-speed internet access. Of course we have also found the perfect BLM boondock spots only to discover that there’s no internet. It happens.
We are now on our second Verizon Jetpack MIFI, the 7730L. We changed because I figured the older model had to be behind in technology, and a fresh battery couldn’t hurt. We honestly haven’t noticed an improvement in connectivity, speed, or battery life with the new device.
The 7730L creates a WIFI hotspot with 4G LTE high-speed internet for up to five devices (computers, pads, smartphones, etc.). We use it with all of the above and it works brilliantly. The 4400 mAh Li-Ion battery lasts 4 to 5 hours with both of us hammering away and it fully charges in about the same amount of time with an included USB charger.
The 7730L cost $99 with a two year contract and we spend about $110 per month for 24 gigs per month, plus a 4 gig per month promotional bonus. We would go for Verizon’s unlimited plan, but they are severely throttled after 10 gigs. For the magazine, we need fast internet, and a lot of it.
We might consider AT&T or another provider, but we have been successfully using Verizon all over the United States for over a decade and would hate to lose the proven coverage. Additionally, our Verizon plan now covers Canada and Mexico. We are hoping to test out the Canadian coverage later this year. As a company that’s tethered to internet access, Canada coverage would be incredible.
This week’s Question of the Week is, “How do you access the internet while truck camping?”
Maybe you go to McDonalds or Panera Bread for their free WIFI (a favorite of ours). Perhaps you tap into the web at local libraries or coffee shops. Or could it be that you quit the internet cold turkey when you travel. Oh man, I wish we could do that!
If you use cellular internet like us, tell us what devices you use, and what cellular internet service provider(s) you have. Please also share your satisfaction with your internet experience on the road. After all, we’re hoping you’re reading these fine electrons from somewhere amazing.
This QOTW is closed. Read the responses in “The Best Cellular Internet For RVing – Verizon, AT&T, Sprint or T-Mobile?”
