November 18, 2021

Top 7 Mobile Internet Tips for Working Remotely from an RV or Boat

Working remotely from an RV or boat is the coolest idea. Many people are testing the waters to give remote work a try. According to a survey, it was found that around 54% of people prefer working from outside the office.

The good news is that remote work is not going anywhere. It has become the new normal. Companies like Salesforce, Twitter, and Spotify have even told their employees that they can continue working remotely.

As Americans come out of lockdown, they are purchasing RVs and boats at an increasing rate. Both an RV and boat provide the possibility to work and travel at the same time. There has been a spike in sales throughout the country as stay-at-home restrictions ease.

Interest in road trips and setting sail is noticeable. The RV Industry Association even found that 20% of Americans are interested in RV travel. Thus, RV makers are struggling to keep up with surging demand.

If you are considering becoming a digital nomad and are looking for the top mobile internet tips for working remotely from an RV or boat, you have come to the right place. We share the top tips that will help you manage the lifestyle change like a pro. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in.

What Is Cellular Data?

When working remotely, you will come across the following internet options.

Wifi Hotspot
Dial-Up
Broadband
Cable
Cellular

Cellular data is considered to be the best option. The reason behind this is that cellular data is easily accessible in most parts of America and the world. Most digital nomads rely on cellular data for their internet connectivity.

Besides, cellular coverage covers even the most remote places. The four major carriers continue to expand their coverage maps. Hence, cellular is the way to go. It is extremely fast and more secure than public wifi hotspots. You can easily share cellular data through a hotspot. However, a dedicated cellular data device or router might be needed when working remotely.

1. Assess Your Mobile Data Plan

One of the top mobile internet tips for working remotely from an RV or boat that you need to follow is assessing your data plan. You should increase your usage allowance to the highest level possible as data is essential to work successfully.

Cell phone carriers offer different data plans. Therefore, it makes sense to research the plans available and their caps to evaluate the best plan for remote work. You might find 15GB hotspot data plan to be suitable or not enough.

To ensure that you are not in a situation where you are left without any data mid-conversation with clients over Zoom, you need to evaluate your data requirements. A great way to do so is by checking your current data activity for the day and multiplying it by the number of days in a month (i.e., 30 days).

Once you have an idea about how much data you will be consuming in a month, you need to add an extra 5-10GB to stay on the safe side. There are some days when you will require that extra data. Hence, it would be wise for you to go for the best data plan.

If you tether your tablet, gaming system, smart TV, or computer to your phone for accessing the internet, you might need to rethink your data plan. In such a case, it would be best that you speak with your data provider to find a plan that can cover your internet needs.

Now, you have to understand that unlimited does not always mean what you consider it to be. Not every unlimited data plan is truly unlimited, especially if you allow mobile hotspot tethering. The majority of cell carriers offer so-called “unlimited” data plans that throttle internet speed as soon as you reach a specific number of gigabytes or slow down the speed.

Some carriers do offer a secondary allotment of gigabytes for mobile hotspots. However, the internet speed would still be throttled after usage. You have to review every minute detail. Here is what you need to consider when selecting a mobile data plan for working remotely.

Minimum Upload/Download Speed: It is the most important factor that you cannot afford to overlook when selecting a mobile data plan. Some things require minimum speed, such as video conferencing or uploading video content. It could also be something that your employer demands.
Know Your Deal-Breakers: We all have certain deal-breakers that we are not aware of. This is why you need to put in the effort to determine yours. Think about the type of work you do and which things you cannot live without.
International Mobile Phone Plan: Since you will be working remotely from your RV or boat, you might need to consider an international mobile phone plan. There are international SIM cards for global travel, which you can get to ensure that you always have internet. However, international mobile data does not come cheap.

2. Learn to Separate Cell Data from Tethering Data

Another amazing tip that will help you excel at working remotely from your RV or boat is learning how to separate cell data from tethering data. If you do not know what data tethering is, it refers to a mobile hotspot. When you activate your mobile hotspot and connect it to your computer for accessing the internet, the internet data used by the computer is known as tethering data.

Both cell data and tethering data have a bucket of gigabytes that you can consume. When you use tethering data for video conferences, you need to be extra careful as they are data vampires. If you need to make a video call, you should opt for cell data. You can use a cellphone tripod to ensure that you can participate in video conferences on your smartphone.

To effectively separate cell data from tethering data, you need to consider each internet activity you engage in. Next, set a hotspot limit to ensure that tethering data does not exceed the cap.

Once you set the limit, your laptop would only download priority system updates over the connection. It will put less vital downloads on hold, including app updates and file-synchronization tasks. If you are using a Mac, you will need to use a third-party app to restrict tethering data use.

3. Reduce Data Usage

To master mobile data usage, you need to monitor how you use data. An app like Trip Mode can help you out with that. It not only helps you monitor internet usage by each app, it even lets you control it. This means that you get to select which apps should access data to limit internet consumption.

If an app or program is eating your data when you work on your laptop, you should consider an alternative. A bit of creativity goes a long way in helping make sure that you do not finish your mobile data.

A great way to save data is by using mobile mode for browsers. It will also help you save money. Here is how you can save mobile data while using the internet.

Disable Background App Refresh: Since apps continue to run in the background when not in use, you must disable them to save valuable mobile data. It will help prevent your phone from automatically syncing information and downloading updates.
Avoid Desktop Versions of Websites on Smart Devices: Next, you should avoid accessing the desktop version of websites on your mobile devices. Stick to the mobile version of the website as it will consume less data.
Switch off Data When Not in Use: It is a good habit to turn off mobile data when you go to sleep or when not using the internet. It will help save you a ton of data.
Try To Use Wifi If Possible: Since you will be working remotely on your RV or boat, there will come opportunities where you can use wifi. If such a possibility does arise, you can switch to wifi to save mobile data. However, you must be careful when using public wifi.
Set Data Alerts for Cellular Usage: It is important that you set up data alerts to stay in the know. It helps ensure that you know when to start conserving data.
Prioritize Data: You need to prioritize how you use data. It will make sure that you use it wisely. Avoid streaming Hulu or Netflix as binge-watching series will quickly drain your data plan. Your work should take priority. If you do manage to save some data, you can treat yourself to a show. It will help keep you motivated.

4. Ensure Online Security

When considering mobile internet, you also have to focus on online security. The easiest way to improve security is by using a VPN. Whether you use an open network or not, VPN has become essential that you cannot live without. There are many benefits of using a VPN.

As an RV or yacht owner, you need strong and secure internet connectivity. You have to be secure even if you are at sea. Cybercrime is on the rise. This is why you cannot expect to stay safe online without a VPN.

In addition to a VPN, you also need to follow certain practices to ensure online security, as mentioned below.

Safeguard Your Data: Cybercriminals use fake caller ID information and ensure that their websites look legitimate to send malware. It is due to this reason that you need to avoid accidentally revealing crucial information.
Avoid Pop-Ups and Links: Phishers use clever ways to trick people into clicking on links that allow them to breach their systems. You must be careful when dealing with pop-up windows and malicious links. The same goes for attachments sent from someone you do not recognize.
Use Strong Password Protection: Always use a strong password that cybercriminals will struggle decoding. It should have at least 10 characters consisting of upper and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers.
Only Connect to Secure Wifi: If you do connect to wifi while on the go, you must make sure that it is secure.
Enable Firewall Protection: A firewall is essential as it acts as the first line of defense against cyberattacks.
Invest in a Security System: Invest in a quality security system for complete protection. The software should provide malware detection and antivirus.

5. Find the Perfect Location to Work

When you work remotely from an RV or boat, you need to make sure that you work from the right location. You cannot expect every location to provide a strong internet connection. Although more places have access to the internet than ever before, it does not mean that each location will provide you the best speed.

A great tip that you should consider is checking out different locations to find one that suits you. Now, you might be excited to check out every destination; you still have to consider internet connectivity. Conduct research into your next location before you go.

There are amazing locations that provide a strong internet connection. You should consider finding an inclusive RV park where you can stop and work after hitting the road. Besides, an RV park is a perfect option if you have kids. Choose a highly-rated park for the best experience.

Besides, you might even get lucky and score a free spot to camp. Hop from one campground to the next while exploring the beauty that is America and make money in the process. It does not get better than this.

Similarly, there are great places to stay on a sailboat throughout the United States and different parts of the world. Here are some locations that you should check out if you are working remotely on a boat.

Chesapeake Bay, Maryland: It offers a relaxing atmosphere, good internet service, friendly locations, and a mild climate. If you have watched Chesapeake shores on Netflix, you would have an idea about what it is like living in the Chesapeake Bay.
Green Bay, Wisconsin: Another great place to drop your anchor in Green Bay. It offers boaters the opportunity to go fishing. Since the marina rental is also cheap, you do not have to worry about spending a lot of money.
Long Island, New York: Good old Long Island provides the ultimate boating lifestyle. You get to work remotely and lead the best life. Since it is close to New York, you get a good internet connection and can always hit the city to network.
Tampa Bay, Florida: If you are chasing a stable mobile internet connection, Tampa Bay offers everything you could possibly want. Boasting a superb climate, lack of income tax, and natural beauty, you cannot go wrong with it.
Croatian Islands: Owning a boat allows you to explore the world. You can even explore the Croatian Islands while working remotely. The islands are truly charming and home to quiet towns.
The Caribbean: As the Caribbean is not far away from the US, you can easily head to any of the islands for the time of your life. Work remotely and take advantage of all the amenities.

6. Back Up Your Files

When using mobile internet, you still have to back up your files. Make it a habit to regularly secure your files on the cloud. You can back up the files every week to stay on the safe side. It is a mobile internet tip that you have to follow.

Cybercriminals aim to get a hold of your data and use it as leverage to get what they want. Storing important files on the cloud or an external drive will help you from falling prey to their scams. There are some incredible cloud services that you can consider to benefit from quick backup.

7. Embrace Continuous Education

Finally, you need to embrace continuous education to work remotely. There is a lot that you need to learn about to make things work. As there is no dedicated IT department to help you out, it is your job to follow the best cybersecurity practices and learn about the latest updates to avoid jeopardizing your system.

Being tech-savvy will go a long way in ensuring that you have the best remote work experience. Be cautious about connecting your devices to the internet and learn as much as possible about your options.

Whether you are running a software house in Islamabad or any other business, you have to embrace continuous training. It will allow you to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.

Now You Know Everything About Working Remotely from an RV or Boat

Embrace the chaos by following our top mobile internet tips for working remotely from an RV or boat. There is always something that you can do better. Being prepared is always better. It ensures that you do not have to struggle with anything.

Take advantage of each tool available to you to chart your course. Google Maps is a great place to start. Learn about the attractions, the internet connection, the locals, and access to necessities. You might also need a mobile internet device as a backup.