We simply use a mobile 'phone as a hot spot.
Cheers,
Peter

As I am not a techi, I hope to learn something from this post

I currently just use a pre paid USB dongle, from Telstra

I look for campsites with a phone signal, if there is a phone signal, then I know I will have internet

Tony Bev wrote:

I currently just use a pre paid USB dongle, from Telstra

---

 I use a wireless modem, but with Optus.  As Tony Bev said, it depends on mobile phone signal, and Telstra has wider coverage than other providers in out of the way places (I didn't have signal on the western side of the Exmouth Gulf, but believe that I would have if I was with Telstra).

As for using regularly, it's all I've got (at home or away).  It works fine.  If I recharge before the data expires, it rolls over, so I've got heaps (I use very little)

Expensive compared to dongle? Maybe not as portable. ? I can take my dongle to a cafe and provided there is phone coverage it will work. in motorhome it is on the wall connected to an exterior aerial which gives really good connection, actually better than phone. Only issue, is cost of data. dongle expensive.

leanne irvine wrote:

---

thanks, perhaps will try that

i was however looking at this https://www.rvwifi.com.au/

anyone had experience using this option??

---

 I just recently went through this process for my mobile home. The RVwifi seems to be aimed at the "newbie" market. It is a "set & forget", while shopping around I mentioned it to a few vendors & they all poo poo'd it (maybe coz they don't sell it :) ) I ended up with a similar device (from Amazon) for much less money that is slightly less user friendly. It's been great, I have a wifi network in & around my MH just as if I was in a B&M dwelling. The Telstra branded Nighthawk may also be a an option to consider but they seem to have battery failures when constantly powered up.

We use mobile as a "hot spot" but watch data downloads.

We use a Telstra Nighthawk M2

leanne irvine wrote:

---

travelling with 2 large dogs, so cafe is not an option for me

will look into it further, but thanks anyway

---

 OK I will not contribute to any of your posts Leanne.   So dismissive.   You have no idea what you ae doing and yet you knock back someone with many years experience.  OK you may not be able to sit at a cafe, (although my dog is often allowed to sit under the table outside with me. )  how about helping out another traveller at their van?  A portable dongle is a valid option even if you don't at the moment see it.  

-- Edited by msg on Friday 30th of October 2020 10:37:50 PM

The technical name for what you are asking for is a router OR a modem
More specifically a Mobile wifi router

A router allows multiple devices to connect

In my opinion , lot of Mobile Wifi routers are overpriced for what they are.
Pocket ones may start at $20 generic to a several 100 for more features
If a person is not knowledgeable most of the price would be for the advice and could be $100+ range. Ive seen them for sale up to $500+


Using a mobile phone hotspot is certainly a viable option for email.
Email would tend to not use much data. Unless a person receive 1000s emails in a session or the data consumed is several 100 mb / hour
However if its a persons only mobile device it would be possible, but sometimes a bit inconvenient if you want to use phone for calls while also using it for data. It should work, however.
When using my phones hot spot feature for extended session, I plug it into a charger to maintain its charge status.

A router is more likely to have external antenna connection .
A router will have more capacity (as in RAM /CPU / number of concurrent connections) to handle multiple devices - ie if several PCs / phones using wifi connection at the same time


A usb dongle is also a viable option . Some dongles also allow a external antenna connection. USB cables can be up to 5m long . which can be useful in low signal areas.
Personally just for email id use either. a dongle of a mobile phone hotspot.

A RV mobile router is the Rolls Royce option
Id choose this option if , not concerned about cost, have multiple devices connected at same time, like 3+ or if consuming lots data in a session (100s of Mb ).
Phones tend to heat up in such situations.

As there are several mobile phone bands , a person needs to check this as well as 4g, 5g? capability . I believe 3g will still be around for several more years.