There are many reasons to worry about driving into the North Country. But here’s why Alaska Highway RV internet access shouldn’t be one of them.

Have Things Changed for Alaska Highway RV Internet Access?

When I first concocted this reverse snowbird idea, I knew that getting online on the Alcan would be a big issue, maybe even a roadblock to pulling it off. Because when your income depends on internet access, you can’t really afford to be without it for too long.

For months, I fretted over how we would manage our business while driving to Willow. Without the massive satellite internet system we used to lug around, what would we do? The Alaska Highway is way, way off the beaten path, as you know. Cellular service is practically non-existent in most places.

Or is it?

I did this quick video to explain what we learned about Alaska Highway RV internet access in 2023:

Here’s how we got online driving to Alaska in 2023

Keep in mind that things change, so in a few years this advice may be outdated. But in 2023, here’s what internet on the Alaska Highway looked like for us.

Several months before coming up, we listened to actual Alaskans who gave us some advice on cellular coverage. Their input paid off in a big way, and was the most critical thing we did to keep us connected. We didn’t have to cave in to Starlink service, which is still spotty up here anyways. But again, don’t get me started.

Unlike last time when we had Verizon service, being on AT&T networks was just as easy as using it in the Lower 48. Using Verizon in Canada was a huge hassle, and as other RVers report, Verizon service in Alaska is horrible.

So other than enabling our phones to use roaming service, there was nothing we had to do to get online or make calls in Canada. AT&T’s service in Canada and Mexico is seamless. I can’t wait to try it down south some other winter.

Although it was a time-consuming and expensive hassle to switch carriers, I’m glad we did.

Oh, and we also carried our Skyroam Solis Mobile WiFi as a backup, but we never had to use it.

There were places on the Alcan where I didn’t think we would have cell coverage

But we did have it, and in more out of the way places than we imagined. Now that we are here in Willow, it’s still paying off, and we are connected just fine without Starlink.

Here in Willow, we are using a land-based internet connection via MTA Internet, the main provider in Alaska. But our AT&T plan is serving as a backup. And if both go down, we still have our Skyroam Solis Mobile WiFi as a third backup. You need redundant internet everywhere you go as full-time RVers, but especially up here in Alaska.

Another reason I’m glad we switched providers? It was an excuse to upgrade both of our phones to the iPhone 14, which has an emergency SOS feature. I REALLY hope we never need to use it, but it’s good to know that with the touch of a button and after answering 3 prompts, we could have emergency help come to us. In fact the first iPhone 14 emergency SOS feature was to rescue a lost snow machine driver up here in Alaska!

Do You Really Need Starlink in Alaska?

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that for most folks, no, you don’t need Starlink. That is, unless you need to stay glued to a device 24/7. Which is kind of sad in my opinion. If that’s the case, then why bother coming up here in the first place? You’ll miss out on so much!

For most people, even self-employed folks like us, AT&T serves up internet communications just fine in Alaska.

Will you have AT&T everywhere in Alaska? No, of course not!

This is still a wild place, with lots of deep valleys, trees, and places where not even Elon Musk’s paws can reach. But the road system has lots of cellular towers, and we were prepared with our weBoost Overland Reach to boost any poor cell signal. But, if you stay within a few miles of pavement, you will often have coverage. Not always, so keep that in mind.

And you know what? That’s a good thing in my opinion! We shouldn’t be online ALL the time, especially if one makes the effort and spends the money to live, work, and play in one of the most beautiful and unique places on earth.

I’m sure that in another five years, cellular coverage will be even better up here. Save your cash. Spend it on fun outdoorsy stuff, not the megaconstallation that’s polluting our sky (and atmosphere).