Working from a van.

We both work from the van some of the time. The first lesson was that a pretty view is worth nothing on a video call if the signal drops every three minutes. Working from a van is mostly three problems: internet, power and a comfortable place to sit. Here is how to handle each.

Mobile data for working from a van

For most of the UK, mobile data is the cheapest and simplest way to get online in a van. A phone hotspot is fine for emails and light browsing. For a full working day, especially with calls, you will want something better.

Check coverage before you choose a spot. Ofcom's mobile coverage checker shows predicted indoor and outdoor coverage for each UK network by postcode or location. Check the place you plan to stay for each network, because the best network varies hugely from place to place, especially in rural Wales, Scotland and the South West. Remember that coverage maps are predictions; a van in a valley or behind a hill can get less.

Consider two networks. Many van workers carry SIMs on two different networks, so if one has no signal at a site, the other might. Look for plans with plenty of data, since video calls and cloud backups use a lot.

4G and 5G routers

A dedicated mobile router takes a SIM and creates a Wi-Fi network in the van. Compared with a phone hotspot, routers usually:

• Have better radios and support more frequency bands.
• Run all day without overheating or draining your phone.
• Connect to an external antenna.
• Often run on 12 V directly, which avoids the inverter.

The antenna matters more than the router. The metal shell of a van blocks signal. A roof mounted external antenna, cabled into the router, often makes a bigger difference than upgrading the router itself. A higher mount helps too.

5G is patchy outside towns. A 5G router falls back to 4G where there is no 5G, so it does not hurt, but do not expect 5G speeds in remote places. Check the Ofcom checker, which shows 5G separately.

When fitting a router and antenna, think about the cable run and where it goes through the roof, and power the router from your 12 V system with the right fuse. Our cable size calculator will give you the right cable and fuse for the run.

Starlink in the UK

Starlink is a satellite internet service, and it offers Roam plans in the UK for people who move around. It is the option for places with no usable mobile signal: remote Highland glens, deep valleys, some islands.

Starlink's UK Roam page sets out the current plans, hardware and prices, and they change, so check that page before buying rather than relying on any figure you read elsewhere. For context, ISPreview reported in August 2024 that Starlink launched its smaller Mini kit and Mini Roam service in the UK, and in February 2025 that a lower cost roaming plan with a small data allowance had been added. Treat those as background, not current prices.

A few practical points worth checking on Starlink's own pages before you buy:

• Clear view of the sky. Satellite dishes need an open view. Trees and tall buildings get in the way, so a pitch in woodland may not work.
• Power draw. A dish uses far more power than a mobile router. Look up the figure for the kit you choose and add it to your power budget.
• Use while moving. Check which plans and hardware allow use in motion, if that matters to you.
• Pausing. If you only travel some months, check whether your plan can be paused between trips.

Many full time van workers use mobile data as their main connection and Starlink as the backup, or the other way round. It depends on where you go.

Powering a laptop

A laptop is often the biggest daily power user in a working van, after the fridge. The maths is simple: watts multiplied by hours gives watt hours (Wh).

These are example figures, not measurements of any particular device. Look at your charger's rating, or better, measure with a USB-C power meter. Then add the fridge, lights, heater fan and phones.

A few ways to make it go further:

• Charge over USB-C from 12 V where your laptop supports it. A good 12 V USB-C charger avoids the loss of running an inverter just to charge.
• If you do use an inverter, pick one sized for what you run. Our inverter size guide covers how.
• Charge while driving with a DC-DC charger. See the DC-DC charger guide.
• Use hook-up on heavy work weeks. A night or two on electric hook-up fills everything up.

To see whether your battery and solar keep up, put your numbers into the solar and battery calculator. Roam's power budget does the same for every device in your van, and it is in the app now; join early access.

The workspace

You can work from a van bed for a day. For a week, your back will complain. What helps:

• A table at a sensible height, and a seat with some back support. Swivel cab seats are very useful here.
• A laptop stand and separate keyboard, so the screen is closer to eye level.
• Headphones with a decent microphone. Rain on a van roof is loud on calls.
• Blinds or screens to cut glare.
• A heater you can run quietly in winter. See our winter guide.

Planning work days

We split weeks into work days and travel days. On work days we stay put somewhere with good signal and, ideally, facilities. On travel days we drive, explore and do the chores. Trying to work and travel the same day usually means doing both badly.

• Check signal for the next stop the evening before.
• Have a backup plan: a library, café or co-working space in the nearest town.
• Download files you need before heading somewhere remote.
• Tell colleagues when you will be offline.

Questions

What is the best internet for working from a van in the UK?

For most places, a 4G or 5G router with an external antenna and a good data SIM. Starlink is worth considering if you spend a lot of time where mobile signal is weak.

Can you use Starlink in a campervan in the UK?

Starlink offers Roam plans in the UK aimed at people who move around. Check Starlink's UK Roam page for current plans, prices and whether in motion use is included.

How much battery do I need to work from a van?

Add up the watt hours of everything you use in a day, including the laptop, router, fridge and lights, then size the battery to cover that with some margin. Our solar and battery calculator does the sums.

Will my phone hotspot be enough?

For light work, often yes. For calls all day, a dedicated router with an external antenna is far more reliable.