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Working from van advise

AMH70

AMH70

VIP Member
Messages
119
Location
Stansted
Vehicle
T6 Coast 150
I’d like to work from my Coast next week but need WiFi so does anyone know of any sites with excellent WiFi please? Or alternatively can anyone recommend an alternative? I’m worried about getting somewhere and then find myself unable to log on to work.
 
Tether off your mobile phone? Alternatively a mobile WiFi solution (we have a Vodafone MiFi). Also, check the network 4G coverage maps for the site you are visiting!
 
As above, but getting a MiFi dongle on a network other than your mobile would give you a better chance. Be careful to not include any virtual (MVNO) provider in the same way as a physical network (like giffgaff or sky mobile who both use the O2 network for example)

So if your phone is on Vodafone, look for a 3 mobile or O2 dongle etc

Still going to be a bit risky whatever you do, use a network coverage map to plan your route/stays in areas of stronger connectivity?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I agree the best solution is to have network options. If you have a recent iphone with an ESIM you can have multiple networks on your phone and auto switch between them depending on signal. Alternatively you can use a separate mifi on a different network to your phone as said above.
I have 3 different networks to choose from and am rarely without a 4G signal these days. Vodafone has the best coverage I think.
Don’t rely on campsite wifi, it’s used to be terrible, but I haven’t used it for a long time as I don’t use sites.
 
What's 'working'? - emails etc or Zoom? IME some operators don't like you tethering to their SIM card and doing video calls.

I'd check it out properly - have a dry run from home. I had a nightmare last June when I had to make a last minute dash to the UK to empty my late Dad's house. I'm a teacher but due to the pandemic all my classes were online, so I figured I could work from there for a week.

In the event, the phone in his house was disconnected so no wifi - this I had anticipated so had bought a UK data-only SIM, but the 4G there was non-existent so I ended up driving around looking for coverage, only to find the UK SIM didn't want me to tether. I was supposed to give 5h of classes a day but just gave up and phoned in sick in the end :D
 
I had a Netgear Aircard something but sold it because connecting to my phone was so much easier, only used it for mail, surf and chat.
 
I regularly work from my van and purchased a mifi similar to this https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01GCTLS4O/?tag=eliteelect-21

and used a three unlimited 4g sim (about £20 a month)

managed to work in Spain for 5 weeks in 2019 whilst driving about without anyone noticing (I mainly work remotely) , the unlimited data in Europe is actually unlimited to 15gb so not unlimited

Also have 30gb to use on o2 mobile

never had any issues working anywhere
 
no ones answered his question. heres one for you.
the quiet site in the lake district had great wi-fi.
 
Lancia037 said:
You can either use your mobile phone to hotspot to your laptop depending on your data plan and network signal. Usually each network has a map whereby it shows 4G. You could also get a Mobile router and a data-only sim card for the best provider (i've always found EE to be goo on my phone).

Click to expand...
Thank you.
 
McSnuff said:
I regularly work from my van and purchased a mifi similar to this https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Huawei-Ultra-Fast-Unlocked-Portable-Genuine/dp/B01GCTLS4O/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=huawei+wifi&qid=1619612088&refinements=p_89:HUAWEI&rnid=1632651031&s=computers&sr=1-10

and used a three unlimited 4g sim (about £20 a month)

managed to work in Spain for 5 weeks in 2019 whilst driving about without anyone noticing (I mainly work remotely) , the unlimited data in Europe is actually unlimited to 15gb so not unlimited

Also have 30gb to use on o2 mobile

never had any issues working anywhere
Click to expand...
Thank you.
 
bob_summers said:
What's 'working'? - emails etc or Zoom? IME some operators don't like you tethering to their SIM card and doing video calls.

I'd check it out properly - have a dry run from home. I had a nightmare last June when I had to make a last minute dash to the UK to empty my late Dad's house. I'm a teacher but due to the pandemic all my classes were online, so I figured I could work from there for a week.

In the event, the phone in his house was disconnected so no wifi - this I had anticipated so had bought a UK data-only SIM, but the 4G there was non-existent so I ended up driving around looking for coverage, only to find the UK SIM didn't want me to tether. I was supposed to give 5h of classes a day but just gave up and phoned in sick in the end :Dl
Click to expand...
bob_summers said:
What's 'working'? - emails etc or Zoom? IME some operators don't like you tethering to their SIM card and doing video calls.

I'd check it out properly - have a dry run from home. I had a nightmare last June when I had to make a last minute dash to the UK to empty my late Dad's house. I'm a teacher but due to the pandemic all my classes were online, so I figured I could work from there for a week.

In the event, the phone in his house was disconnected so no wifi - this I had anticipated so had bought a UK data-only SIM, but the 4G there was non-existent so I ended up driving around looking for coverage, only to find the UK SIM didn't want me to tether. I was supposed to give 5h of classes a day but just gave up and phoned in sick in the end :D
Click to expand...
Lots of emails and MS Teams calls. You are right about having a test run first.
 
Lightning said:
I agree the best solution is to have network options. If you have a recent iphone with an ESIM you can have multiple networks on your phone and auto switch between them depending on signal. Alternatively you can use a separate mifi on a different network to your phone as said above.
I have 3 different networks to choose from and am rarely without a 4G signal these days. Vodafone has the best coverage I think.
Don’t rely on campsite wifi, it’s used to be terrible, but I haven’t used it for a long time as I don’t use sites.
Click to expand...
My iPhone is very old. Mifi idea looks the best and thanks for the tip not to rely on campsite WiFi! Thanks.
 
AMH70 said:
I’d like to work from my Coast next week but need WiFi so does anyone know of any sites with excellent WiFi please? Or alternatively can anyone recommend an alternative? I’m worried about getting somewhere and then find myself unable to log on to work.
Click to expand...
Anywhere in particular? MS Teams needs a pretty good, strong connection if I’m right.
 
Was just thinking about this - are you covered on insurance to use the Cali as a work base? My insurance is for social domestic pleasure, but not business. Over thinking it?
 
Gavin123 said:
Was just thinking about this - are you covered on insurance to use the Cali as a work base? My insurance is for social domestic pleasure, but not business. Over thinking it?
Click to expand...
Not sure you are Gavin. I checked this point specifically and I am covered to travel to multiple places of work, so I can travel to meetings etc, but i cannot conduct business as such or carry business equipment. So as a work office used adhoc its just about ok but if you had a load of work stuff pinched you would not be able to claim, and would need to make sure you home insurance ( assuming you had added home working to that covered you).
 
flying banana said:
no ones answered his question. heres one for you.
the quiet site in the lake district had great wi-fi.
Click to expand...

Down here Wifi is often free of charge. Go to a TCS Site here and you def get a brilliant wifi. IMO Slovenian CP also have great WIFI service eg Camp Spîk.
 
I live rural, so have poor broadband. I now have a three 5G WiFi router at home. It’s portable and works well with 4G too. It’s on a 24 month contract with no upfront cost. Unlimited data for £24 per month. The only consideration is that the router is 240V AC, so you’ll need to be on hook up or use the inverter socket. It supports multiple streams unlike using your phone as a hotspot. Before with my landline broadband, I could use only sound or video, not both on Teams and rarely managed to share my screen. Netflix was banned if I was working. Now everything works and I’m no longer an uncool dad. I think. You can use it anywhere that has 4G and there are many apps that will show maps of various providers’ coverage across the UK.
 
Campsite WiFi can be a bit hit and miss. We booked a campsite a few years ago with WiFi but we were so far away from the WiFi that it did not work. You could go into the club house and use that but it’ll you are trying to work that might be a bit difficult.
I use an Air Card Netgear (mobile WiFi) for work. The advantage is that you can position the Air Card where it can get a signal say in the top of the roof and then use the WiFi network to connect to that. Some of the mobile routers have aerials that can be connected to improve the signal. My Netgear lasts about 8 hours on its battery but it can be charged up using a USB lead. I have used it for video calls and it was ok but the data useage is quite high so could be expensive.
I was so impressed that I brought the same one for using the van when we travel around.
 
Now, for my sins, I rate campsites I have visited by Wi-Fi ability, either their own or by mobile signal strength (I use EE and Vodafone) just for the purpose you describe: somewhere to go and work including sending large chunks of data down the line.

Top ones:

CAMC - Ferry meadows, Warwick, Tewkesbury, Wirral, poolsbrook, Knaresborough, Tredegar house, Hereford, Uttoxeter, Malvern, Burrs park

CCC: Oxford, Moffatt, Canterbury, Kingsbury water park, Devizes, Teversal.

Other: White mills Marina (Wellingborough), Abermarlais (llandegog), Cotswold view near Banbury, Eriba glade (near Banbury), Anita's (mollington), Cardiff pontcanna fields,

Just a selection. If I was going to work, and wanted location, depending what quarter of the UK I was in ....

South West Wales and Abermarlais is delightful (over 18), South Wales it has to be Cardiff just for the lovely walk into the city, Canterbury for the South East, North east England I would go to Knaresborough, North west and the Wirral, Travelling over the border and stop at Moffatt. All of those with the proviso that a strong, reliable wi-fi signal is the priority, somewhere to walk and clear the head is important and somewhere nice to eat is also a priority.
 
GrannyJen said:
Now, for my sins, I rate campsites I have visited by Wi-Fi ability, either their own or by mobile signal strength (I use EE and Vodafone) just for the purpose you describe: somewhere to go and work including sending large chunks of data down the line.

Top ones:

CAMC - Ferry meadows, Warwick, Tewkesbury, Wirral, poolsbrook, Knaresborough, Tredegar house, Hereford, Uttoxeter, Malvern, Burrs park

CCC: Oxford, Moffatt, Canterbury, Kingsbury water park, Devizes, Teversal.

Other: White mills Marina (Wellingborough), Abermarlais (llandegog), Cotswold view near Banbury, Eriba glade (near Banbury), Anita's (mollington), Cardiff pontcanna fields,

Just a selection. If I was going to work, and wanted location, depending what quarter of the UK I was in ....

South West Wales and Abermarlais is delightful (over 18), South Wales it has to be Cardiff just for the lovely walk into the city, Canterbury for the South East, North east England I would go to Knaresborough, North west and the Wirral, Travelling over the border and stop at Moffatt. All of those with the proviso that a strong, reliable wi-fi signal is the priority, somewhere to walk and clear the head is important and somewhere nice to eat is also a priority.
Click to expand...
Great list, thanks.
 
Gavin123 said:
Was just thinking about this - are you covered on insurance to use the Cali as a work base? My insurance is for social domestic pleasure, but not business. Over thinking it?
Click to expand...
Gavin123 said:
Was just thinking about this - are you covered on insurance to use the Cali as a work base? My insurance is for social domestic pleasure, but not business. Over thinking it?
Click to expand...
Very good point! I hadn’t even thought of that and will check it out. Thank you.
 
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