Internet and WiFi, Wi-Fi Products
Guide To Catering Van WiFi
If you run a food truck, burger van, or coffee cart, you’ve probably noticed that a lot more people pay on card these days. So you need a fast, reliable internet connection to ensure you can accommodate card payments in your catering van wherever you go.
You no longer need to rely on expensive phone tethering to take card payments in your food truck. Find out how to set up reliable catering van WiFi.
Why do you need reliable WiFi in your catering van?
Taking payments is the most common reason caterers look for reliable WiFi. Accepting card payments means you can ultimately do more business. But WiFi also opens up other opportunities for your business, such as:
- Remote ordering — stay Covid-safe by allowing customers to scan a QR code and order from an online menu
- Customer WiFi — allow customers to use your connection if you’re catering an event where there’s limited WiFi access
- Upload photos and videos to Instagram — promote your business on social media in real-time without using up your phone data
- Preserve your phone battery — tethering quickly saps your phone battery. With a purpose-built router you can concentrate on your business rather than your battery life.
What’s the best type of catering van WiFi?
Most caterers use one of 4 options to get online:
- On-site WiFi
- Phone tethering
- MiFi devices
- Portable WiFi routers.
On-site WiFi can be unreliable — not to mention unsecured. Phone tethering and MiFi devices are often expensive, and you’ll only be able to connect to one network — so if it goes down, you’re in trouble.
Portable WiFi routers are the fastest, most reliable way to connect to the internet from your vehicle. They allow you to connect to multiple networks from multiple devices, so you can have more than one payment port or card machine — ideal for keeping queues down and processing orders quickly.
How does a catering van WiFi router work?
The Maxview Roam was initially designed for use in caravans and motorhomes — so it works perfectly for other vehicles like catering vans. It works by picking up signals from local WiFi networks and 3G or 4G towers, then amplifying the signal to give you continuous internet access. The Roam 5G is now available for those seeking ultrafast speeds.
You’ll need a SIM card with a good data plan, but you’ll only use data if a WiFi connection isn’t available — so running costs are usually much cheaper than using your mobile hotspot.
How to set up a WiFi router in your catering van
You can either set up your Roam router yourself by following the instructions in our router setup guide, or watching the installation guide video below. Alternatively, find a local Roam installer to set up your router for you.
Once the router is set up, you’ll connect to it in the same way as you join any WiFi network. Just enter the password on the back of the router or scan the QR code to join.
Will the Roam work with all types of card machine?
For the purposes of accessing the internet, the Roam works the same way as any other router. The only difference is in where the signal comes from. So if your card machine is WiFi-compatible, it will work with the Maxview Roam.
Some machines come with built-in data plans — but these only work if you have good network coverage in your area. Many networks have poor coverage in certain locations (especially internet in rural areas), so having a robust WiFi router that amplifies the signal is invaluable when you’re catering in lots of different locations.
Which type of WiFi system should I use in my catering van?
We offer a range of WiFi products — so how can you tell which one is right for you?
Our WiFi selector is designed to make it easy to choose the best system for your needs. Simply choose your vehicle type, and answer a few simple questions about your internet usage needs. We’ll then recommend the best WiFi system for use in your catering van or food truck.
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