Superbike champ reaps the rewards of WiFi

This year, we backed British Superbike champ, Ryan Vickers by supplying him with our 5G Ready Compact+ Built in WiFi system, keeping him connected across all corners of the UK while touring the circuits in his Auto-Trail F-Line 74. Motorhome WiFi is a factory fitted option across all Auto-Trail models as well as being standard fitment on the Frontier range. 

Having been in the BSB premier class for three years now, his successful streak has continued, with a positive 2021 under his belt. Ryan sat down with us to talk about the advantages of touring in a motorhome and his former wi-fi woes…

 

 

Why did you choose a motorhome to travel around the circuits?

It’s really the best way. It affords me better access to the race circuits and lots of flexibility while I’m touring. I like to take my bikes with me when I travel, my push bike and my moped and thanks to the raised fixed bed in the Auto-Trail F-Line 74, there is room in the garage underneath to store both of these easily. It’s also really simple to get the awning out in the summer and transform the feel of your motorhome – it’s a real home from home for me.

 

 

Did you have connectivity problems in your motorhome previously?

Before using the in-built system, I mainly used my phone to get a 4G connection but it was always temperamental. Often staying in campsites out in the sticks and wi-fi black spots, I had to wait ages for a connection which was frustrating. Not only this but at a typical race, there are around 60,000 or 70,000 fans, which is great for the atmosphere but not so much for getting a signal when everyone is trying to get 4G at the same time. Again, having the wi-fi ‘at home’ in my motorhome took the inconvenience of this away.

 

 

What was the most useful aspect of having reliable wi-fi?

One of the main benefits was being able to access the TSL training – an online platform which publishes speed, circuit, lap time, and finishing positions following a race. I couldn’t get reliable access to this before with just 4G but now I can log in and out with confidence knowing I will get the most up-to-date results.

Are there any hidden benefits of the wi-fi system that people don’t know about?

I think one of the surprising but pleasing advantages that people may not know about is the fact that the system is tucked away really neatly, with no wires or anything unsightly on display. It’s hidden away in a cupboard and you can simply forget about it. The best wi-fi is one you don’t have to think about! You also don’t need lots of space for it, the antenna goes through the roof so there is not lots of room taken up inside. Having wi-fi was also great for my pre and post-race routines. Knowing I would have no problems accessing music and watching Netflix to help me gear up or wind down after a busy day was great.

 

 

Did you get the support you needed from the Motorhome Wi-Fi team?

Because the system is so easy to use, it’s basically ‘plug and play’ so I didn’t really need lots of support. But before I used the system Adam came along to double check everything was in working order before I hit the road. The team are really knowledgeable about everything connectivity, so I always knew if I had a problem, they would be really responsive.

 

 

How to setup an APN to allow you to use a UK SIM abroad

You may have heard of an APN but what does it mean? APN stands for Access Point Name which provides the information needed to connect to the internet. Basically, your APN defines your connectivity settings. Depending on the network, different settings are mandatory.

If you are using a main network operator such as EE, Vodafone, o2 or Three there is no need to manually setup an APN as this is an automatic process.

For any MVNO’s (mobile virtual network operator) such as Sky, GiffGaff, Smarty, Tesco’s to name a few, there will be an APN required which has to be entered into your router to make it work.

Please refer to your ‘Quick Start Guide‘ for the exact APN for your SIM card.

 

If you have a 4G Compact Ultra router, please click here

If using a 5G Compact Pro router, please click here

 

The following information is for customers who own a 4G Compact or 4G Compact+ only. Please use the links above if you have any other 4G/5G router.

 

Here are the key points:

 

Turning on roaming and setting up an APN:

The example is shown with the APN for Smarty – please make sure you enter the correct APN settings for your specific network if not using Smarty. If you are unsure of this, please contact us. 

Please follow the information below to make sure your Compact/Compact+ router is setup to roam abroad.
APPLE DEVICES – follow these instructions if you are using an iPhone

1.) Download the Huawei AI Life app from your app store

For iPhone users, if you have previously installed this app please visit your app store, clicking your account symbol top right and either choose ‘update all’ or find the Huawei AI app and choose ‘update’ – it will display ‘open’ if you have the latest version.

2.) Connect to the router via WiFi. Critically, both ignore any message of no internet and if Huawei popup / page loads immediately after you must then press CANCEL (top right) and select USE WITHOUT INTERNET to ensure you remain connected.
3.) Ensure you have remained connected via WiFi and the WiFi symbol is at the top of the phone screen, if not please repeat Step 2. If so, proceed to open Huawei AI app and your router should immediately be displayed. If not shown, ensure you have remained connected via WiFi
4.) The default router password for a Compact+ is admin, upon opening the app you are forced to change this and so it may now be either your WiFi password or one you have selected. If none of these are accepted, you can reset the router by removing the battery cover and with the battery inserted and router turned on press and hold the reset pin for 10 seconds.
5.) Once logged in, click Show More > Advanced and enable roaming. For Compact routers this can also be done using the on-screen display, so may already be enabled.
6.) If you are using the Smarty SIM, navigate to:

SHOW MORE > APN & press the plus ( ) SIGN top right to create a new profile.

Enter the following APN exactly as shown below – it is case sensitive so be sure to double check before saving:

Name: Smarty
APN: mob.asm.net
User/Pass <leave these blank>

7.) You should now be online; if it doesn’t connect straightaway, please turn your router off and on again.

Bear in mind that Smarty has a fair usage policy of 12GB/mth when outside of the UK. You can buy add-ons and activate roaming passes to negate this which can be controlled online at www.smarty.co.uk
A helpful article can be found here on their website – https://help.smarty.co.uk/en/articles/982374-our-add-ons#h_6ee0f9fcbb

 

ANDROID DEVICES – follow these instructions if you are using an Android phone
 
Connect to your router as normal
Open your web browser and navigate to the router’s IP address (192.168.8.1) place these numbers into your web address bar where you normally type in www.

The default router password for a Compact+ is admin – it may ask you to change these details on first usage. If you have already changed them, please enter your custom password. If you have forgotten this, please reset the router by holding the reset pin in the back of your router for 10 seconds with the unit powered on. This will take everything back to factory default.

It may load the Mobile version, if so, please click PC version.

Click SETTINGS –> DIAL UP –> PROFILE MANAGEMENT

Enter the following details which are case-sensitive so be sure to double-check before saving.

Name: Smarty
APN: mob.asm.net
User/Pass <leave these blank>
Now, on your physical router click the menu button on the top and scroll down until you see Data Roaming, toggle this to the on position by pressing the power button.

Our office and dispatch facility will be closed from:
Friday 17th December – Tuesday 4th January

Please place any orders required during these times before
Thursday 16th December to get next day dispatch with DPD.

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