Stationary Mobile Internet
Here at the Mobile Internet Resource Center, our focus is on mobile internet in the United States - meaning internet sources that can travel with you as you in a nomadic lifestyle like RVing or cruising.
However, there are times when you may park your wheels or dock your dinghy for an extended period of time.
Or you have a fixed residential home base from which you travel.
Our perhaps you live in a rural area where traditional home internet solutions aren't viable.
Or you're a cord-cutter also relying on the similar solutions to RVers and boaters.
This guide is meant to help you utilize mobile internet options like cellular and Wi-Fi sources, when you aren't so mobile.
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Considerations for Stationary Setups
The challenges of a stationary internet set-up and a mobile internet set-up are different.
One of our catch phrases here is:
The best internet solution is the one that works best at your current location.
For those who are mobile, location is a variable. The goal of a mobile internet setup is having a variety of options ready to be deployed as you move from location to location.
A stationary setup on the other hand can be optimized for what works best at a particular location.
If you're staying in one place for a long period of time, you'll (hopefully) only need to figure out what works best in your given location once.
Even if you're staying in an RV or boat, it's not much different than moving into an apartment or house in a new neighborhood.
While the upside of being stationary is that you can optimize for the best solution, the downside can be that finding that best solution may take a lot of trial and error.
For more information on mobile internet options for active nomads:
How to Find What Works Best in a Single Location
Our number one tip for figuring our what works best in a specific location?
Ask your neighbors.
Find out what those around you are already utilizing for internet access, you can learn a lot this way.
If you're at a campground, RV park, marina or another housing situation, ask the owners or management what they suggest.
Check campground or marina reviews for mentions of internet access.
If you're hitting brick walls, then you're going to have to simply try different solutions - which can be time consuming and costly. But once you have it all tuned in, the investment should hopefully pay off for a long time to come.
Stationary Possibilities
The possibilities may not be endless, but they are typically more abundant than options for a nomadic lifestyle. In addition to cellular and Wi-Fi options, those who plant their stakes for longer periods may have better access to hard-wired options and have more success with satellite.
Hard-Wired - Cable/DSL
If you’re planning to be in one spot for a while, sometimes hooking directly up to fixed, wired cable or DSL is a possibility.
RV parks and marinas that cater to long-term residents sometimes already have cable pulled to each site, and all it takes is contacting the local cable or DSL provider to get service switched on and have them bring you the necessary modem.
The park may not advertise this as an amenity, so you probably need to ask - or look around your facility to see who is plugged in.
Depending on the provider, the costs to get started can be very reasonable. There may not even be any contracts or penalties for canceling after a short period of time.
And you can usually rent the equipment for a few dollars a month, instead of buying it. But if you find yourself signing up for cable internet often, many providers utilize the same modem standard – so it may be worthwhile to buy a cable modem.
Perks
- A major advantage of cable or DSL is gaining access to fast and essentially unlimited internet. No competing with neighbors for bandwidth or worrying about hitting caps or limits.
- Typically reasonably priced.
- Typically there are not long term contracts.
Drawbacks
- If it's not available, it's not available.
- Will need cable company's equipment - although many providers do use the same modem standard.
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More Stationary Possibilities (Wi-Fi, Cellular, Satellite, WISP)
We overview other options for setting up internet solutions in a stationary environment.
Enhancing Internet in a Static Location
When you're stationary for a while, then it starts to make sense to utilize different options for signal enhancing than you might when mobile. From directional antennas to residential boosters.
Special Considerations for Residential Homes
Mobile gear is designed for mobile situations. Using these options in a sticks-n-bricks environment has some special considerations.
Summary: Optimize for your Location
Mobile internet solutions can apply to stationary settings, although mobile solutions are not usually optimized for stationary settings.
For those who are simply 'too far off the grid' to access typical stationary household options, investigating what those who are mobile use can be a good 'jump off' point to find an internet solution.
For those who are mobile sometimes, but stationary others, creating a 'mixed internet arsenal' - utilizing stationary options when those are available and best, and mobile solutions at other times, is often the solution.
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