How to install a wireless router in your semi truck
An installed wireless router does more for truckers than a mobile hotspot. With a download speed of up to 40 mbps and an upload speed of up to 8.5 mbps, an installed connection is faster and more reliable. Most wireless routers are also compatible with booster antennas and with data plans from multiple carriers, which makes them a more flexible solution for semi trucks.
The only problem with installed mobile broadband? While most wireless routers, including our own, come with plug-and-play installation, installed connections require a little more set-up than a mobile hotspot. Luckily, set-up isn’t hard. To install a wireless router in your semi truck, just follow these four steps.
1. Purchase a mobile data plan.
First, you need a plan. There are many affordable installed mobile data plans to choose between these days. As you consider your options, ask yourself:
- Where am I going to use this plan? You cover a lot of ground in your truck, so choose a carrier (or more than one carrier) that supports your entire route. Open up the Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile coverage maps and do some research, or turn to cellmapper.net for more detailed data from all local carriers.
- How much data do I need? Your data consumption depends on a number of factors including how much time you spend video streaming, how much time you spend gaming, and how many connected devices you own. To estimate your monthly data usage, monitor your monthly usage with your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, or T-Mobile) or use a free traffic monitoring application like Netlimiter. Then, choose a plan with enough data. An unlimited wireless internetplan is always a safe bet.
Once you know what you need, check out our installed data plans or give us a call at 866-439-6630. When you purchase a mobile data plan through EVDODepotUSA, you’ll receive a wireless router with the plan pre-installed on the machine.
2. Find a power source in your semi truck.
If your truck doesn’t have electrical outlets, you’ll need a power inverter to supply your wireless router with electricity. A power inverter is a power source for any device that uses standard plugs. If you want to install a power inverter in your truck by yourself, check out this YouTube tutorial from Koon Trucking:
3. Connect your wireless router to your power source.
Now it’s time to plug and play. To power up your wireless router, just plug it into the power source in your truck. It should automatically connect to the mobile broadband network. To reboot the router at any time, just unplug it, wait 30 seconds, and then plug it back in again.
4. Install booster antenna(s) on the inside and/or outside of your semi truck.
To improve the strength and speed of your internet connection, install one or more optional booster antennas on the interior and/or exterior of your truck. For ease of use in a moving vehicle, choose an omnidirectional antenna like our Panel MIMO Booster Antenna. For installation tips, check out this blog post on installing omnidirectional booster antennas.
Ready to upgrade your semi truck’s Wi-Fi connection with an installed wireless router? Give us a call at 866-439-6630.
