Most businesses today rely heavily on the Internet. What do you do if you lose your internet connection? If your business has backup internet it will ensure you have connectivity during outages. This is particularly important when using the cloud which can make outages more of a problem. An outage can mean that workloads become inaccessible and impact your productivity. You need to explore reliable solutions, different options, and choose the best plan for your company’s needs.
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What is a backup internet connection?
You may have a reliable internet service provider but this doesn’t guarantee that outages won’t happen. Whether the issue is on the provider’s side or your side, it can significantly affect your productivity. Your downtime could be anything from a few hours to a few days.
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A secondary internet connection is like a safety net. When your primary connection fails the secondary connection automatically kicks in. Another name for a backup system is a redundant internet connection. It is a backup source of connection that guarantees ongoing functionality when a primary connection fails.
Uninterrupted connection to your devices is also important. The easiest fix when you have Mac WiFi issues is to turn the WiFi off and then on again or to restart your Mac. You can also check whether you are connected to the right WiFi network and move closer to your router. The other idea when Mac is not connecting to WiFi is changing your DNS settings on your Mac to use Google’s DNS instead of the one set by your service provider which will give you a fast and stable connection.
Why invest in a secondary internet?
As you may not use backup internet often, you may wonder whether it is actually worth the investment. When you have to download or upload documents that affect your business operations or transfer sensitive data, you don’t want to be caught without an internet connection.
Backup internet has many benefits including allowing you to carry on with your day-to-day operations. This helps to reduce stress and your employees can continue to access what they need online to do their jobs.
Customer service is another good reason why you may need a backup. If you want a successful freelancing business you need to give your clients reliable and consistent service. A backup internet solution can help you to preserve your brand reputation if your primary connection fails.
Types of backup options
There are many different internet backup solutions available so you can source a plan that’s right for your budget and needs.
Broadband backup internet
Rather than running your backup through phone lines, you can opt for a broadband internet connection. It is cost-effective, reliable, and provides you with high speed internet using mediums such as cable or fiber optics. As multiple users share bandwidth, it can result in slower speeds at peak usage times.
- 4G/LTE/5G Cellular Data Backup
Cellular networks offer wireless internet connectivity over the same networks as mobile phones. They provide widespread coverage and high speed, low latency connections. Data limits may apply depending on the provider and plan. This is a great option for small businesses and home offices.
- Fixed wireless backup
Fixed wireless backup uses wireless signals for connectivity. These signals go from a ground station to a fixed antenna on the premises of the user so there is no need for cables. It is best suited for areas where the broadband infrastructure is limited.
- Satellite backup
Satellite internet backup relies on the satellite dish to send and receive signals from a satellite orbiting the Earth. It can be influenced by weather conditions and has high latency. It typically has data caps and slower speeds than some other connections.
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How to choose a backup solution
What are the factors you need to consider when choosing a backup internet solution?
Redundancy and reliability
It is best for you to select a different ISP for your backup option. Carrier diversity provides an extra level of redundancy as it is less likely for both connections to fail at the same time. The same applies to the type of option you choose. If you use cable, choosing a fiber optic connection also establishes redundancy. Fiber is the most reliable option. A wireless internet backup is another reliable option. It has fewer physical components that bad weather can damage.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the rate at which data travels across an internet transmission medium. When using gig economy apps, your bandwidth will affect how quickly you can complete tasks. When using a low bandwidth network, you will take much longer to complete them. The bandwidth also controls how many devices can operate on the network. When selecting a backup option, you must choose one with enough bandwidth to support critical functions.
Availability
The location of your business can impact the type of backup plan you decide on. In a remote location, you may not have 5G cellular towers. ISPs may not have fiber optic cables in some locations. You have to research the providers in your region to see what backup options are available to you. You may have to go for a fixed wireless internet or a satellite internet backup.
Costs and scalability
Your backup plan should cost less than the rate of your primary ISP. Some ISPs offer basic plans that will enable you to meet needs in an emergency. You will need to balance the costs with the potential cost of downtime. If your business has many coding jobs and is growing quickly, you need to think about scalability. Your business needs will change as your business grows. Your backup solution must be able to accommodate the growth.
Conclusion
Having a reliable backup internet solution is critical to ensure business continuity in the event of the failure of a primary internet connection. There are many backup options to choose from, including broadband, 4G/LTE/5G, fixed wireless, and satellite. When choosing the right one for you, considering factors such as your location, the costs, reliability, and bandwidth will help you to make the right choice.
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