Cassandra is currently living off-grid on a farm west of Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada.
What is off-grid living?
Off-grid living is a lifestyle where you don’t rely on public utilities, such as electricity, water, and sewage. It is focused on self-sufficiency and often involves keeping animals – as a renewable source of food or economy.
How do you get electricity, water, and sewage if you’re not hooked up to “the grid”? Great question!
Electricity:
Solar power, hydro power (water), wind power, and fuel (propane, gasoline, diesel)
Water:
Well water, natural moving body of water (lake, river)
Sewage:
Out house, septic tank, composting toilet, grey water systems (shower and sink water), constructed wetlands
Click here to read about the off-grid set up Cassandra is living with at the farm.
Can you have internet and phone service if you’re off-grid?
Yes. It is possible (but unlikely) to have phone service on an off-grid property. Phone service is linked to cell towers erected by phone carrier companies. If you are on an off-grid property that is close enough to a cell tower, you will still be able to pick up cell service.
Internet is also possible on an off-grid property. Options for an off-grid internet connection include:
Satellite internet, a mobile hotspot or phone tethering, and line-of sight internet connection.
For any off-grid internet options, you will need to have electricity to power the required components for an internet connection.
Satellite Internet:
Starlink is an example of satellite internet. It utilizes a satellite dish to connect to internet via satellites in the atmosphere. This is a good solution for remote areas that cannot connect to a Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP).
Mobile Hotspot/Phone Tethering:
This solution works if you are in an area that gets cell/phone service. Internet comes through data on your phone and enabling the hotspot or tethering settings on your phone lets you access internet on other devices.
Line-of-Sight (LoS) Internet:
This looks like your typical internet set up: modem, router, Wi-Fi. It requires an antenna (or dish) and a visual line of sight to a tower.
Wi-Fi Calling
If your off-grid setup has Wi-Fi internet, you can also utilize Wi-Fi calling as a method of getting regular cell service (calling and text messages to your registered phone number) via your internet connection. Be sure to do your research, Wi-Fi calling is a service provided by the phone carrier (Telus, Rogers, Bell etc.), and not all carriers offer this service.
To successfully utilize Wi-Fi calling, you will need:
- a phone service provider (phone carrier) that supports Wi-Fi calling
- a device that support Wi-Fi calling
If your phone supports Wi-Fi calling but your carrier does not – you cannot use Wi-Fi calling. If your carrier supports Wi-Fi calling but your phone does not have that functionality – you cannot use Wi-Fi calling. You must have both.
The long and the short
Off-grid living can look really different from one set up to the next. Some people just want to disconnect from public utilities, others want to live a completely self-sustainable life. Some are full-blown communities with 20+ people, others are one family. Some disconnect from modern living altogether, others build the infrastructure for electricity, running water, and Wi-Fi.
Unraveling the mystery of off-grid living can be a very deep rabbit hole – and it can open up your worldview to a plethora of new perspectives (imagine what off-grid might look like on other continents!).
Cassandra is currently living off-grid on a farm west of Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada.
What is off-grid living?
Off-grid living is a lifestyle where you don’t rely on public utilities, such as electricity, water, and sewage. It is focused on self-sufficiency and often involves keeping animals – as a renewable source of food or economy.
How do you get electricity, water, and sewage if you’re not hooked up to “the grid”? Great question!
Electricity:
Solar power, hydro power (water), wind power, and fuel (propane, gasoline, diesel)
Water:
Well water, natural moving body of water (lake, river)
Sewage:
Out house, septic tank, composting toilet, grey water systems (shower and sink water), constructed wetlands
Click here to read about the off-grid set up Cassandra is living with at the farm.
Can you have internet and phone service if you’re off-grid?
Yes. It is possible (but unlikely) to have phone service on an off-grid property. Phone service is linked to cell towers erected by phone carrier companies. If you are on an off-grid property that is close enough to a cell tower, you will still be able to pick up cell service.
Internet is also possible on an off-grid property. Options for an off-grid internet connection include:
Satellite internet, a mobile hotspot or phone tethering, and line-of sight internet connection.
For any off-grid internet options, you will need to have electricity to power the required components for an internet connection.
Satellite Internet:
Starlink is an example of satellite internet. It utilizes a satellite dish to connect to internet via satellites in the atmosphere. This is a good solution for remote areas that cannot connect to a Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP).
Mobile Hotspot/Phone Tethering:
This solution works if you are in an area that gets cell/phone service. Internet comes through data on your phone and enabling the hotspot or tethering settings on your phone lets you access internet on other devices.
Line-of-Sight (LoS) Internet:
This looks like your typical internet set up: modem, router, Wi-Fi. It requires an antenna (or dish) and a visual line of sight to a tower
Wi-Fi Calling
If your off-grid setup has Wi-Fi internet, you can also utilize Wi-Fi calling as a method of getting regular cell service (calling and text messages to your registered phone number) via your internet connection. Be sure to do your research, Wi-Fi calling is a service provided by the phone carrier (Telus, Rogers, Bell etc.), and not all carriers offer this service.
To successfully utilize Wi-Fi calling, you will need:
- a phone service provider (phone carrier) that supports Wi-Fi calling
- a device that supports Wi-Fi calling
If your phone supports Wi-Fi calling but your carrier does not – you cannot use Wi-Fi calling. If your carrier supports Wi-Fi calling but your phone does not have that functionality – you cannot use Wi-Fi calling. You must have both.
The long and the short
Off-grid living can look really different from one set up to the next. Some people just want to disconnect from public utilities, others want to live a completely self-sustainable life. Some are full-blown communities with 20+ people, others are one family. Some disconnect from modern living altogether, others build the infrastructure for electricity, running water, and Wi-Fi.
Unraveling the mystery of off-grid living can be a very deep rabbit hole – and it can open up your worldview to a plethora of new perspectives (imagine what off-grid might look like on other continents!).