The Importance of a Broadband Backup Plan and How You Can Have One

If you frequently have to deal with broadband outages and other disruptions of internet services, then you should consider a backup connection to protect yourself from lost revenue and productivity during downtime.

In this article, we'll talk about the best options for a broadband backup plan and explain why it's critical to have one as an individual or a business.

Broadband Backup Plans at a Glance

A broadband backup plan is a must-have for many people and businesses, especially those in rural areas where an internet or power outage is much more likely. Some of the best options are mobile data hotspots, data dongles, and wireless or satellite internet.

Why You Need a Backup Internet Plan

An internet connection can go out when you anticipate it the least, which can disrupt your workflow or daily activity since even internet service providers can't predict when technical issues can happen, whether it's software glitches, cyber-attacks, hardware failures, or even natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods, which can damage the network infrastructure and cause you to lose contact.

Even if there's a predictable broadband outage, such as during maintenance, you'll need backup internet to stay connected and tend to your duties.

How Internet Downtime Can Affect Individuals and Businesses

Losing your internet access leads to decreased productivity, whether you're a remote worker or a business, as the internet is crucial for communication, online coordination, and other crucial tasks. During downtime, you may lose hours or miss deadlines, leading to lost revenue.

Internet downtime can also affect communication with others in your professional and personal life, as many people rely on the internet to stay in touch with their loved ones.

Possible Options for Backup Internet

There are several internet plans you can rely on if you face a broadband outage. Here are the most viable and cost-effective ones.

Mobile Network Hotspot

During downtime, the easiest and most automatic option for most people is to turn on their mobile network, turn on a wireless hotspot, and use this internet connection to finish their duties.

Mobile hotspots are quick and convenient because they allow you to turn your smartphone into a Wi-Fi network that can accommodate multiple users.

Pros:

• Portability: Mobiles are an inseparable part of day-to-day life, and most people carry them wherever they go. So being able to turn your phone into a broadband connection hotspot anytime is a plus.
• Quick Setup: Setting up your mobile network hotspot is quick and easy, usually requiring only a few taps on your phone. No installation, no hassle.
• Multi-Connectivity: Mobile hotspots can handle multiple devices at a time, so it's a solid option for small groups.
• Wide Coverage: Mobile network relies on cellular coverage, which is ubiquitous and available in most of New Zealand.

Cons:

• Limited Data Allowance: Most cellular network plans have a strict data allowance, and exceeding it may result in exorbitant fees.
• Inconsistent Speed: Mobile internet speeds can vary depending on when you're using it since the connection is susceptible to congestion.
• Mobile Battery Life: Turning on a mobile hotspot for too long can drain your phone's battery life, especially if you use it excessively and use it to power multiple devices.
• Extra Cost: Most mobile network plans are considerably more expensive than other forms of broadband, especially when you factor in the slower speed and data caps.

Best For

Mobile hotspots are perfect for remote workers who travel now and then, especially if they move in groups since a single device can accommodate multiple users at once, and they can invest together in better plans.

They're also good for small households that don't need extensive internet usage during bandwidth downtime since some activities, such as streaming, will run your data allowance down quickly.

Data Dongles

Data dongles are small and easily portable USB flash drives that you can connect to a device to grant it access to an internet connection almost immediately, making it a great backup internet option.

It works similarly to mobile hotspots but will require you to buy a different plan. However, it's more suited if you frequently need backup internet.

Pros:

• Compact and Portable: Data dongles are compact, usually smaller than a finger, and can easily be carried anywhere, such as in your pocket, attached to a key chain, or even in your wallet.
• Compatibility: Most types of computer dongles, including data ones, are USB sticks that you can connect to any computer. They even work for TVs and gaming consoles if you need them for that purpose.
• Easy Internet Connectivity: Data dongles use plug-and-play technology, so all you need to do is connect it to your device, and you get an internet connection almost immediately.
• Cost Effectiveness: Data dongles are relatively affordable to buy. And when it comes to your internet plan, you'll usually find more options than cellular data plans, so you can find the right plan for your needs. They also grant you access to more cost-effective plans on a per-GB basis.
• Decent Speed: Internet dongles use more dedicated broadband media to transmit data, so they can boast faster speeds than mobile networks, especially if they use 5G.

Cons:

• Data Allowance: Depending on your plan and your chosen internet service provider, your dongle may have a data cap. And if you exceed it, you might either be charged extra fees or have your speed heavily throttled until you renew your plan.
• Incompatible With Mobile: Since most data dongles are USB flash drives, there's no way to connect them to your phone without an external adaptor, which could also feel bulky when using your phone for work.
• Single Device Use: Data dongles are designed to support only one user at a time since you can't connect the USB to multiple devices. You could get around this by creating a hotspot, though.
• Limited Coverage: While internet dongles have decent coverage throughout New Zealand, it's not as ubiquitous as cellular data coverage.

Best For

Data dongles are designed as a backup option for individuals who need to stay connected wherever and whenever. But since they're made to support one device, they're great for frequent travellers who work remotely or individuals renting a place short-term who don't need to bother with a long-term internet installation and contract.

Fixed Wireless Internet

Although wireless internet is frequently used as the main broadband, it also works well as backup internet because of its many benefits, including speed and reliability.

Pros:

• Reliability: Fixed wireless internet is among the most reliable forms of broadband.
• High-Speed Internet: Wireless internet can also provide high speeds, especially if you use 5G technology, which can provide download speeds in the hundreds of megabits per second.
• Low Latency: Compared to other options, especially satellite internet, wireless networks have an incredibly low latency that enhances a smooth experience.
• Scalability: Fixed wireless internet can be extended to cover larger areas within a home or office building to accommodate more users.
• Cost-Effective: Wireless internet is the most cost-effective option on our list, as most internet service providers have uncapped plans with great speed and bandwidth rates at a lower relative price.

Cons:

• Limited Rural Coverage: Although fixed wireless internet is extremely reliable in urban and suburban areas, rural places and small towns infamously suffer from reliability issues because of the lack of nearby infrastructure.
• Line of Sight Requirement: Wireless internet requires a clear line of sight between the sender and the receiver, so it's not suitable for certain terrains like mountainous areas unless there's enough infrastructure to accommodate this problem.
• User Traffic Congestion: Unlike mobile hotspots and data dongles, fixed wireless internet doesn't use a dedicated line of transmission per user, instead acting as a shared bandwidth that can suffer from reduced speed during peak hours.
• Susceptible to Interference: Interference from another nearby device that uses the same wireless signals as your modem can lead to a disrupted performance.
• Weather Sensitivity: Extreme weather conditions, like heavy rain, wind, and thunderstorms, can disrupt signals from fully travelling between your device and the transmitter, causing data loss or a throttled speed.

Best For

Fixed wireless internet is excellent for bigger households (4+ internet users) or small to medium-sized office buildings that use the internet extensively, but it's only suitable in urban or suburban areas where you don't need to worry about weak signals. They're also the best option for gamers who need low latency.

Satellite Internet

Satellite internet provides similar benefits to wireless, such as its ability to accommodate many users and cover larger distances within a building. But it's more suitable for rural areas that can't access 4G/5G reception towers reliably.

Pros:

• Widest Coverage Available: The main benefit of satellite internet is its availability virtually everywhere on the planet, as it's meant to support remote and rural areas that lack the nearby infrastructure for a reliable terrestrial internet connection.
• Always Online: Satellite internet doesn't suffer from downtime in case of a power outage or other events that disrupt traditional internet connectivity.
  Independent Installation: You don't need to rely on preexisting telephone lines or nearby cell towers to install satellite internet in your home or your office building. Instead, you need a compatible modem and router to connect to satellites in space.
• Decent Speed: Satellite internet has come a long way since its inception. And although it's still notably slower than modern forms of terrestrial internet, it's comparable to 4G.
• Supports Numerous Devices: Your satellite internet modem and router are enough to power several computers at once, making it a great option as an office backup internet.

Cons:

• Cost: Satellite internet is still a relatively new technology, and it's unfortunately quite expensive to install and maintain. One of the most popular satellite internet companies, SpaceX, just increased its prices this July.
• High Latency: Because of the massive distance between satellites in space and senders and receivers on the planet, satellite internet suffers from notoriously high latency that can disrupt the workflow sometimes, especially if you need it for internet-exhaustive tasks.
• Data Caps: Many satellite internet companies provide plans with data caps and fair use policies, and they'll throttle your speed heavily if you exceed them.
• Susceptible to Bad Weather: Communication between a device on Earth and a satellite in space can be disrupted if the weather decides it. For example, heavy rain and thunderstorms can cause signal attenuation and increase noise, both of which disrupt transmissions and can slow down your internet connection.

Best For

Satellite internet is a good option for people and businesses in rural areas who need internet connectivity critically for their day-to-day operations. It can also be a vital option in emergency cases in far-away places.

How to Implement an Internet Backup Plan

Now, let's look at how you can implement a solid plan to ensure fluid connectivity if your main broadband goes out.

Assessing Your Internet Usage Needs and Patterns

First, you need to consider how you currently use the internet. Analyse your work times and patterns to see how frequently you'll need to resort to backup internet in case of a power outage.

Also, ask yourself how extensive your internet usage is during work. For example, if you're often streaming, downloading, or uploading for work, then you need a plan with a higher cap. Otherwise, it's not worth the extra cost.

Choosing the Right Backup Method for You

Individuals and smaller groups can get by on a mobile hotspot, especially if the outages are sporadic. But if you deal with them a lot, then a USB dongle is a more cost-effective option.

Wireless options, such as 4G and 5G, are excellent if you want to support a large number of users in a well-covered area, i.e. in large cities.

Lastly, if you're in a rural area, then satellite internet will be your best pick because it's the most reliable option with the best coverage.

Integrating Your Chosen Method With Your Main Broadband Infrastructure

If you've chosen a mobile hotspot or data dongle, then you don't need to do much apart from choosing the right plan and buying the stick itself.

For wireless or satellite, you'll need to find a broadband provider and contact them to have a modem and router installed.

The Bottom Line

Having a backup internet connection is crucial for many businesses and individuals, especially remote workers whose livelihood depends on them staying connected online. By now, you'll hopefully be able to assess your needs and start implementing your preferred backup internet option at home or in your office.