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No internet connection is 100% reliable.
Broadband circuits can fail due tonetwork outages, accidental damage, power interruptions, equipment faults orprovider issues. For many organisations, even a short outage can result in lost productivity, disrupted services and reduced customer experience.
Backup connectivity provides an alternative connection path that automatically takes over when the primary connection becomes unavailable.
Typically, this involves a 4G or 5G router with a mobile data SIM that remains on standby until needed.
The result is a more resilient network that helps maintain business continuity during unexpected outages.
A failover router continuously monitors the primary internet connection.
If the primary connection fails, the router automatically switches traffic to a secondary connection, typically using a 4G or 5G mobile network.
Once the primary service is restored, traffic can automatically switch back.
The process usually happens without user intervention and can often be completed within seconds.
Common failover methods include:
• Fixed line broadband with 4G backup
• Fibre Ethernet with 5G backup
• Dual broadband connections
• Primary and secondary mobile networks
For critical applications, automatic failover can significantly reduce downtime and operational disruption.
The resilience of a failover solution depends not only on the router, but also on the connectivity used.
Single-network SIMs connect to one mobile network only.
Choose single-network SIMs when:
• Coverage is proven and consistent
• Cost is the primary consideration
• The deployment is non-critical
Multi-network IoT SIMs can access multiple available networks, helping maximise coverage and resilience.
Choose multi-network IoT SIMs when:
• Availability is critical
• Coverage varies by location
• Remote sites are difficult to access
• Service continuity is important
For many business continuity deployments, multi-network connectivity provides an additional layer of resilience beyond the failover router itself.
Not sure whether your organisation needs backup connectivity?
Speak to the Lister IoT team about failover routers, multi-network SIMs and resilient connectivity solutions for your sites and applications.
A common business continuity design uses:
Primary connection: • Fibre broadband •Ethernet leased line • Business broadband
Backup connection: • 4G router • 5G router • Multi-Network IoT SIM
The failover router monitors connectivityand automatically redirects traffic if the primary service becomes unavailable.
This approach provides a practical balance between cost and resilience for many organisations.
Backup connectivity is widely used across many sectors where maintaining connectivity is important.
• Card payment resilience
• Cloud-based EPOS systems
• Customer Wi-Fi continuity
• Remote monitoring systems
• Telemetry installations
• Critical infrastructure communications
• Temporary locations
• Unmanned installations
• Construction compounds
• Transaction processing
• Charger management platforms
• Remote diagnostics
• Customer collections
• Monitoring and management
• Software updates and support
• Building management systems
• Alarm signalling
• Environmental monitoring
The best solution depends on several factors:
• Number of connected devices
• Expected backup data usage
• Required uptime
• Location and coverage
• Securityrequirements
• Remote management needs
Features often considered include:
• Dual WAN capability
• Automatic failover
• VPN support
• Remote management
• Industrial temperature ratings
•External antenna support
Typical examples include industrial and business-grade routers from manufacturers such as Teltonika, DrayTek and Westermo.
Backup connectivity is most effective when considered as part of an overall resilience strategy.
Important considerations include:
• Coverage testing before deployment
•Network diversity
• Router placement and antennas
• Power resilience
• SIM management
• Ongoing monitoring
The goal is not simply to add a backup connection, but to create a solution that continues operating when unexpected failures occur.
