Internet OFF The Grid? Yes! 4 Ways To Get Online When You're OFF Grid

As a family living in an off grid cabin in a remote area of northern Canada, in some ways, our daily lives are pretty different from many Canadians.  For example, we depend on solar panels, generators, a battery bank, lake water, and a wood stove to meet our family's needs. However, in other ways, we're very similar.

One of the most common questions we're asked is how we get internet if we live off grid.  The truth is there are at least four ways to get access to the internet off the grid in our area.  I know because I've researched all of them.

WHY WE HAVE INTERNET OFF THE GRID

Not everyone who chooses to live off the grid wants access to the internet. And in some areas, internet access just isn't a possibility. While we love the off-grid lifestyle for our family, we depend on the internet for at least three things.

> One, it's crucial to our livelihood. I make a living as a freelance finance writer, content strategist and blogger.  > Two, it connects us to our five adult children who live all across Canada.  > And three, internet off the grid gives our youngest children access to additional homeschooling resources.

4 WAYS TO GET ONLINE WHEN YOU'RE OFF GRID

1. SATELLITE INTERNET 2. DATA PLAN ON YOUR CELL PHONE 3. USE A WIRELESS TURBO HUB OR STICK TO GET INTERNET OFF THE GRID 4. DRIVE INTO TOWN TO FIND A WIRELESS SPOT!

SATELLITE INTERNET

One of the first internet services we tried when we moved off the grid was a local satellite internet provider. Or I should say THE local satellite internet provider.

DATA PLAN ON YOUR CELL PHONE

> Data plans for smartphones have come a long way in the past few years. > This uses up data pretty quick but I've used this option a couple of times in a pinch to meet writing deadlines.

USE A WIRELESS TURBO HUB OR STICK TO GET INTERNET OFF THE GRID

And now for what we use!  To get internet access off the grid, I use a wireless portable internet hub with two back up batteries. Each battery has a 30-minute life. I use the Turbo Hub ZTE MF275R, yet there are many other options out there.

DRIVE INTO TOWN TO FIND A WIRELESS SPOT!

Sometimes, this is the only option. Yes, there are still parts of North America that can't get the internet. In that case, your best bet is to head to the nearest town.  Visit a coffee shop like Tim Horton's, or a fast-food joint like McDonald's to use the free wifi on your phone, tablet or laptop.

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