Does your business need a backup internet connection?

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The internet is an essential part of most businesses’ day to day activities. When the internet disconnects, our phone system, web browsing, email, cloud-based applications, and backup solutions could shut down. Then what?

If these kinds of internet disasters impact your business, it might be worth investing in a backup internet connection. Let’s have a look at this possible solution in more detail.

How can the internet fail?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of backup internet connections, let’s walk through the different ways the internet can disconnect or fail completely.

Generally speaking, there are four common faults that lead to broken internet:

1. Internal ISP issue

These problems occur within the network of your Internet Service Provider (ISP), and are usually quick and easy to fix. You can expect a downtime of a couple of hours.

2. Major ISP issue

Sometimes faults within your ISP’s network aren’t straightforward. For example, they may experience the shutdown of critical hardware, or a disconnect in their operations centre or remote Exchange. Depending on the specifics of the issue and the availability of replacement parts, you can expect a downtime of a couple of days or more.

3. Accounts issue

Your ISP will shut down your internet connection if they think you haven’t paid your bill. You will usually get lots of notice before things escalate to this point, and all services will resume immediately once the accounts dispute has been resolved.

4. Infrastructure failure

Critical infrastructure may be interrupted by extended power outages and physical disturbance (for example, if someone digging up their garden hits a cable). Depending on the extent of the damage, expect a couple of days of downtime.

How would these issues affect my business?

When deciding whether or not to invest in a backup internet connection, it’s a good idea to consider how an internet failure would impact your business. Think about the following services – does your business depend on any of these to deliver your product?

• • Internet-based phone systems
  • Web browsing
  • Video streaming
  • Email
  • Cloud-based applications
  • File sharing
  • Backup systems
  • Video conferencing
  • Bookkeeping
  • Network storage

If the above weren’t available for a couple of days, how would your business cope? Could staff still be productive? Could you still bring in revenue? Can you realistically afford to risk an internet outage?

Protecting your business with a backup internet connection

The good news is, backup internet connections are now more affordable than ever. What’s more, some members of staff can use the backup connection to help relieve strain from your primary connection, resulting in faster, more stable internet for all.

Depending on how critical the internet is to your business, consider one of the two backup internet solutions below:

1. A second ADSL connection from a different ISP

Investing in a second ADSL connection from a different ISP will protect your business from accounts issues and other interferences within your primary ISP’s network. If you need help with a new wifi setup, then get in contact with us via the form on this page.

2. A 4G modem

If the internet is vital to your business’s undertakings and you cannot afford to risk potential downtime from any of the issues listed above, it may be worth investing in a 4G modem. That way, you are protected against both ISP and connection/physical hardware issues.