š The Ultimate Internet Upgrade for Vanilla
- John Nickolls
- 6 days ago
- 12 min read
Part 1 ā Why Every Modern Campervan Deserves Proper Internet
The Dream
There was a time when a campervan was all about getting away from everything.
No phone.
No television.
No emails.
No internet.
Just you, a kettle on the gas hob and perhaps a paper map spread across the dashboard.
Those days were brilliant.
But times change.
Today, I don't travel to escape technologyāI travel with technology. The secret is making it work so well that I never have to think about it.
That has become my philosophy with Vanilla, my 2022 VW Transporter T6.1 campervan.
Every upgrade has had one goal:
Make life easier.
Not more complicated.
When I pull onto a campsite in Cornwall, Scotland, the Lake District or the Alps, I don't want to spend ten minutes fiddling with hotspot settings.
I want everything simply to work.
The projector.
The MacBook.
My iPhone.
Drone uploads.
Maps.
Weather forecasts.
Football streaming.
Video calls.
Music.
That's exactly why I decided it was time to build a proper internet system.
The Old Days...
When I first converted Vanilla, my internet setup was basic.
I used a small portable hotspot.
It did the job.
Most of the time.
But...
There were compromises.
Sometimes I'd leave the van with my phone and accidentally take the internet with me.
Sometimes the battery died.
Sometimes it overheated on a hot dashboard.
Sometimes speeds weren't brilliant.
It wasn't bad.
It simply wasn't worthy of the rest of Vanilla.
As the campervan evolved...
So did my expectations.
Vanilla Has Become My Little Apartment
If someone stepped inside today they'd find something very different to a standard campervan.
I've gradually turned it into a tiny apartment on wheels.
Inside lives:
š MacBook Air M3
š± iPhone
šŗ Nebula Capsule 3 Laser projector
šµ Bluetooth speakers
š· DJI drone equipment
š“ Torque, my Scott Aspect eRIDE 910
Apple services
Streaming apps
Navigation
Cloud storage
Online banking
YouTube
Netflix
BBC iPlayer
Every one of those relies on one thing.
Reliable internet.
Then EE Changed Everything
One of the best decisions I made was moving my data connection onto EE.
I now have an EE One Essentials Unlimited Data SIM dedicated to Vanilla.
My monthly cost
Normal price
Ā£36
EE One discount
-Ā£20
Total
Ā£16 per month
That works out at:
53p per day
Ā£192 per year
For unlimited data.
That's incredible value.
The Essentials plan is speed-capped at 100 Mbps, but that's still more than enough for multiple HD and 4K streams, video calls, navigation and cloud uploads. (ZTE)
When you think about it...
People happily spend Ā£5 on a coffee.
Yet for little more than 50 pence a day, Vanilla has internet almost everywhere.
Why EE?
Living in Staffordshire means I spend a lot of time travelling.
Cannock Chase.
Peak District.
North Wales.
Cornwall.
Scotland.
Motorways.
Tiny villages.
Remote campsites.
No mobile network is perfect everywhere, but EE consistently offers some of the UK's strongest rural coverage and excellent speeds in many areas, making it a great choice for touring. (ZTE)
For me...
Coverage matters more than headline speed.
I'd rather have 80 Mbps everywhere...
than 900 Mbps only in cities.
The Search for the Perfect Router
Once I'd sorted the SIM card...
I started looking for the perfect mobile router.
I wanted something that wasn't just another plastic hotspot.
I wanted something that felt...
premium.
Eventually I found it.
Meet the Star of the Show
ZTE MU5120
The moment I started reading about it...
I knew this wasn't an ordinary hotspot.
The Specification
The MU5120 includes:
ā 5G
ā Wi-Fi 6
ā Dual-band wireless
ā 2.4-inch touchscreen
ā Massive 10,000 mAh battery
ā USB-C charging
ā 18 W reverse charging (it doubles as a power bank)
ā NFC pairing
ā Unlocked SIM slot
ā Up to 64 connected devices
ā Around 16 hours of battery life under typical use. (ZTE)
This isn't just a hotspot.
It's a mobile communications hub.
The Battery Alone Is Incredible
Ten thousand milliamp-hours.
That's enormous.
It's bigger than many dedicated power banks.
If my iPhone runs low...
The router can charge it.
If someone else's phone dies...
The router can charge that too.
It's one of those little features you don't think you'll use...
until you do.
Touchscreen? Yes Please.
Most hotspots hide everything behind a tiny monochrome display.
The MU5120 has a proper colour touchscreen.
That means I can instantly see:
Signal strength
Battery level
Data usage
Connected devices
Wi-Fi settings
Network mode
No laptop required.
No app required.
Just tap the screen.
Simple.
Wi-Fi 6 Changes Everything
Most people focus on 5G.
I actually think Wi-Fi 6 is just as important.
The internet coming into the router is only half the story.
The router also has to distribute that connection around the campervan.
Wi-Fi 6 improves efficiency, handles multiple devices better and helps reduce congestion when lots of equipment is connected. (ZTE)
My Current Shopping List
Here's the core of the setup.
EE One Essentials Unlimited Data SIM ā Ā£16/month after your EE One discount.
ZTE MU5120 5G Router ā typically around Ā£180āĀ£220 depending on the retailer.
USB-C charging cable.
Secure storage spot in Vanilla where the router has a clear view through a window.
Videos Worth Watching
Before I bought anything, I'd recommend spending half an hour watching reviews and setup guides.
ZTE MU5120 Review ā Search on YouTube for "ZTE MU5120 review" for real-world performance and feature walkthroughs.
ZTE MU5120 Setup Guide ā Search "ZTE MU5120 setup" to see the touchscreen interface and initial configuration.
EE Mobile Broadband Review ā Search "EE 5G mobile broadband review UK" to see how the network performs in real use across Britain.
Coming Up in Part 2...
Now the fun really begins.
I'll take you inside Vanilla and show you:
š How I physically set the router up.
šŗ Streaming films through the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser.
š» Working from a campsite.
š“ Keeping Torque and my Bosch eBike connected.
š· Uploading DJI drone footage over 5G.
š The Wi-Fi settings I recommend.
š Why this setup will be perfect for my future European adventures.
Super Nix Score ā So Far
Category | Score |
Value for Money | āāāāā |
Ease of Use | āāāāā |
Battery Life | āāāāā |
Campervan Suitability | āāāāā |
Future-Proofing | āāāāā |
Overall: 10/10
For me, this isn't just another gadget. It's the digital heartbeat of Vanilla. With an excellent-value EE unlimited data SIM and a flagship 5G hotspot, I've built a system that's ready for everythingāfrom a rainy movie night in Cornwall to uploading drone footage from the Highlands. And this is only the beginningā¦
Part 2 ā Building My Perfect Mobile Office on Wheels
There comes a point when a campervan stops being just a vehicle.
It becomes your holiday home.
Your cinema.
Your cafƩ.
Your office.
Your photography studio.
Even your weather station.
For me, Vanilla has become all of those things.
People often ask why I'd spend good money on a premium 5G router when I already have an iPhone that can create a hotspot.
The answer is simple.
Because I don't want to think about it.
Press One Button... Everything Comes Alive
Imagine arriving at a campsite after a four-hour drive.
The kettle goes on.
The pop-top goes up.
The chairs come out.
While all that's happening, the ZTE MU5120 is already doing its job.
Within seconds:
My iPhone reconnects.
My MacBook Air joins the network.
The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser is online.
My drone apps synchronise.
Maps update automatically.
Messages arrive.
Weather forecasts refresh.
No passwords.
No menus.
No turning my phone into a hotspot.
It simply works.
That's exactly how technology should be.
The Heartbeat of Vanilla
The internet isn't the exciting bit.
The router isn't the exciting bit.
What excites me is what they allow me to do.
My campervan becomes completely self-contained.
I can spend a rainy evening watching films.
Plan tomorrow's ride around Cannock Chase.
Upload drone photographs.
Check traffic before setting off.
Watch England at the World Cup.
All from one little box that's smaller than a paperback book.
Movie Night
One of my favourite additions to Vanilla is my Nebula Capsule 3 Laser projector.
There's something magical about parking beside a lake, making a coffee and watching a film projected onto a big screen inside the van.
Without decent internet, that experience falls apart.
With the MU5120 and my EE Unlimited SIM, streaming becomes effortless wherever there's a good mobile signal.
No buffering.
No constantly reconnecting.
Just press Play.
My Mobile Office
People sometimes imagine campervans as places where you disconnect from the world.
Sometimes that's true.
Other times I want to stay connected.
My MacBook Air M3 becomes a proper workstation.
Whether I'm writing a Super Nix blog, editing drone photographs or planning my next European adventure, I have the internet I need.
Cloud storage synchronises.
Photos upload.
Software updates download.
Everything feels exactly the same as it does at home.
That's the biggest compliment I can give this setup.
Why I Didn't Just Use My Phone
My iPhone is brilliant.
But asking it to be a permanent hotspot isn't ideal.
It drains the battery faster.
It gets warmer.
If I leave the campervan and take my phone with me, every other device instantly loses its internet connection.
A dedicated router solves all of that.
The MU5120 becomes Vanilla's own broadband connection.
My phone goes back to being just a phone.
Battery Power That Keeps Going
One of the standout features of the MU5120 is its enormous 10,000 mAh battery.
That means it isn't tied to a plug socket.
If I'm sitting outside with a coffee, the router can come with me.
If I'm having lunch on a picnic bench, it comes too.
If needed, it can even act as a power bank and charge another USB device through its reverse charging feature. (YouTube)
It's one of those thoughtful touches that makes the whole product feel properly engineered.
Better Than My Old Router
Before this, I relied on a TP-Link M7350.
It served me well.
It was compact.
Reliable.
Affordable.
But technology moves on.
The M7350 is still a perfectly respectable 4G hotspot, especially for light use.
Ā£59.99
The MU5120 simply belongs in another league.
Ā£200.74
The difference isn't just speed.
It's capacity.
Battery life.
Touchscreen controls.
Wi-Fi 6.
Future-proofing.
Everything feels more polished.
The Cost of Staying Connected
People often spend thousands of pounds upgrading alloys, lighting or suspension.
Those things certainly look good.
But for me, one of the best investments has been reliable internet.
My ongoing cost is refreshingly simple:
EE Unlimited Data SIM: Ā£16 per month
Annual cost: Ā£192
That's about 53 pence per day.
For less than the price of a chocolate bar, Vanilla has unlimited internet ready whenever I turn the router on.
Videos Worth Watching
Before buying, I watched plenty of demonstrations.
These are well worth a look:
šŗ ZTE MU5120 Overview ā 5G on a Friendly Budget
šŗ ZTE MU5120 Unboxing and Initial Setup
šŗ Changing Network Settings
Even if you're already familiar with mobile hotspots, these videos are useful for learning your way around the touchscreen menus and getting the most from the router.
The Nix Verdict
The more I use Vanilla, the more I realise that great technology disappears into the background.
That's exactly what this setup does.
I don't think about mobile data anymore.
I don't think about tethering.
I don't wonder whether the signal will cope with streaming a film.
I simply arrive...
switch the router on...
and get on with enjoying the adventure.
For me, that's worth every penny.
Coming Up in Part 3
In the final chapter, I'll reveal my complete Vanilla Digital Ecosystem.
We'll cover:
The complete equipment list.
How every device talks to each other.
Security tips for public campsites.
Touring Europe with one router.
Future upgrades.
My ultimate 10/10 Super Nix verdict on building the perfect connected campervan.
If you'd like, I can make Part 3 the grand finale with diagrams of your network, a full equipment inventory, and a "Vanilla 2026 Tech Spec" section.
Part 3 ā The Complete Vanilla Digital Ecosystem
More Than Just a Campervan
When I bought Vanilla, I wasn't simply buying a vehicle.
I was buying freedom.
The freedom to wake up beside the sea.
To park in the shadow of mountains.
To spend the night in a quiet forest.
To point the front wheels towards somewhere new and simply drive.
Over time, however, Vanilla has become something much more.
It has become my home from home.
Every upgrade I've made has been carefully chosen, not because it's fashionable, but because it genuinely improves the experience of travelling.
The internet is no different.
It isn't there to keep me glued to a screen.
It's there to make every journey smoother, easier and more enjoyable.
The Digital Heart of Vanilla
Every great system has a central hub.
For Vanilla, that's now the ZTE MU5120 5G mobile router.
Everything revolves around it.
Instead of every device trying to fend for itself, the router becomes the permanent internet connection for the entire campervan.
The result is wonderfully simple.
I switch the router on and everything else quietly reconnects in the background.
No fuss.
No menus.
No frustration.
My Complete Connected Setup
Today, my digital touring kit looks like this.
š Vanilla
The base for every adventure.
š” Internet
EE Unlimited Data SIM
Ā£16 per month
Unlimited data
Excellent value for touring around the UK.
š¶ Network Hub
ZTE MU5120 5G Mobile Router
Wi-Fi 6
10,000 mAh battery
Touchscreen control
USB-C charging
Reverse charging
Up to 64 connected devices
š» Computing
MacBook Air M3
Used for:
Writing Super Nix blogs
Planning routes
Editing photographs
General browsing
Trip planning
š± Mobile
iPhone
Navigation.
Photography.
Banking.
Weather.
Communication.
It simply joins the Wi-Fi whenever I'm inside Vanilla.
š¬ Entertainment
My Nebula Capsule 3 Laser projector has transformed evenings away.
Whether it's a football match, a documentary or a favourite film, having reliable internet means I can stream with confidence instead of hoping the connection will cope.
š“ Torque
My Scott Aspect eRIDE 910 isn't just another bike.
It's part of the adventure.
When I'm travelling, I can:
update routes,
synchronise rides,
upload cycling statistics,
download Bosch software updates,
and plan tomorrow's trails.
Everything becomes seamless.
š· Drone Equipment
As someone who loves drone photography, internet matters more than many people realise.
Cloud backups.
Firmware downloads.
Sharing photographs.
Checking airspace information.
Researching locations.
It's all much easier with a reliable connection.
Why I Didn't Want a Permanent Roof System
Some campervan owners install industrial-grade roof antennas and permanently mounted 5G routers.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
In fact, they're brilliant for full-time van life.
But for me?
I wanted flexibility.
The MU5120 can travel anywhere.
I can use it:
inside Vanilla,
in a hotel,
on holiday,
at a picnic table,
in the garden,
while visiting friends.
One device.
Unlimited possibilities.
Simplicity Wins Every Time
One of the biggest lessons I've learned over the years is this:
The best technology is the technology you don't notice.
I don't want to spend ten minutes configuring settings every time I arrive somewhere.
I don't want complicated menus.
I don't want endless cables.
I simply want things to work.
That's exactly what this setup delivers.
Touring Europe
One of the things I'm most excited about is taking this system across Europe.
Imagine:
Morning coffee in Belgium.
Lunch in Germany.
An overnight stop beside an Austrian lake.
A mountain campsite in Norway.
A harbour in Croatia.
A vineyard in France.
The router doesn't care.
Swap in a suitable SIM if needed, connect your devices and carry on exactly as you would at home.
That continuity is hugely reassuring.
No learning curve.
No new routines.
Just travel.
Keeping Everything Secure
Public campsite Wi-Fi has improved over the years, but I still prefer using my own connection whenever possible.
With my own router:
I know which network I'm connected to.
I choose the password.
I decide who has access.
My devices reconnect automatically.
It's another small improvement that makes travelling feel much more relaxed.
Looking Ahead
Technology never stands still.
One day there will be faster networks.
Smarter routers.
Even better batteries.
Perhaps one day I'll add:
a roof-mounted 5G antenna,
Starlink for extremely remote locations,
solar-powered networking,
or an integrated smart home system inside Vanilla.
But right now?
I honestly don't feel as though I'm missing anything.
This setup does exactly what I need it to do.
The Cost of Freedom
People often focus on the purchase price of gadgets.
I prefer to think about what they enable.
For around 53 pence a day, my campervan has unlimited internet.
That tiny daily cost unlocks:
entertainment,
navigation,
communication,
weather,
photography,
route planning,
online banking,
cloud backups,
and the ability to work almost anywhere.
When you look at it like that, it isn't an expense.
It's an investment in every journey.
The Super Nix Verdict
If somebody asked me today:
"What's one upgrade you'd recommend to almost every modern campervan owner?"
I'd say this.
Invest in your internet.
It doesn't have to be the most expensive router on the market.
It doesn't have to be packed with every feature imaginable.
But make it reliable.
Because once your campervan has dependable internet, everything else becomes easier.
Navigation improves.
Streaming improves.
Planning improves.
Photography improves.
Even those quiet evenings with a mug of tea and a film become that little bit better.
Final Thoughts
Vanilla has become far more than a vehicle.
It's my escape.
My office.
My cinema.
My photography base.
My cycling support vehicle.
My tiny apartment on wheels.
The addition of the EE Unlimited Data SIM and the ZTE MU5120 hasn't changed where I travel.
It has changed how I travel.
I spend less time worrying about connections and more time enjoying the places I've driven hundreds of miles to experience.
And when I look back over all the upgrades I've made, from the projector and bike rack to Torque and the countless little refinements along the way, this one sits comfortably amongst the very best.
Sometimes the best journeys begin with turning left instead of right.
Sometimes they begin with pressing the kettle switch.
And sometimes...
They begin with a little black router quietly connecting the world to a grey campervan called Vanilla.
š The Super Nix Scorecard
Category | Rating |
Value for Money | āāāāā |
Ease of Use | āāāāā |
Reliability | āāāāā |
Battery Life | āāāāā |
Speed | āāāāā |
Streaming Performance | āāāāā |
Working on the Road | āāāāā |
Campervan Suitability | āāāāā |
Future-Proofing | āāāāā |
Overall Enjoyment | āāāāā |
ā Overall Super Nix Rating: 10/10
Less worrying. More exploring.
That's what Vanilla has always been about.
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