Most of us feel cut off and unable to function socially or in business when we have no internet access. We can’t send or receive emails or access any of the other services that can only be accessed via the internet.
Most of us rely on a cheap (or free) internet service and we expect it to work all the time. This is unrealistic, but very few of us give any thought to making provision for a fallback solution.
The best way of implementing a fallback solution is to have a router that can support a second (ie fallback) internet connection with automatic fallback in the event of a failure of the primary connection. It is even better if the router supports load sharing across the two internet connections as this improves overall broadband performance.
The router that we recommend for automatic internet connection fallback and load sharing is the Draytek Vigor 2830
series. The various Draytek models in the 2830 range are listed at the bottom of this article and can be purchased from Amazon by clicking on the appropriate image.
The Draytek routers are enterprise class products. There are lower cost internet fallback/load-sharing routers available. Please contact us for more information.
A fallback internet connection is one that should be provided by a different service provider using a different type of telecommunications connection than that used by the primary connection.
For most individuals and businesses their primary internet connection is provided using ADSL technology over a telephone line. For such individuals the main options for a fallback internet connection are:
- second ADSL connection;
- Virgin Cable internet connection;
- 3G mobile connection; and
- satellite connection.
The above list is not a comprehensive and there may be other connection options available at your location. The options listed above are described in more detail below:
Second ADSL Connection
Most ADSL internet connections are provided using equipment that is owned and operated by BT Wholesale. At exchanges which serve over 3,000 premises there is usually equipment that is owned and operated by other service providers such as TalkTalk, Sky and O2.
These competitors to BT Wholesale are known as LLU providers. You can find out if there is an LLU provider at your local exchange by using the Samknows website.
If your main ADSL connection is provided using BT Wholesale equipment then you would need to have a fallback internet connection from one of the LLU providers.
If there are no LLU providers in your area then you would need to consider one of the other fallback solutions.
Virgin Cable Internet Connection
In addition to having access to various ADSL service providers some premises are in the fortunate position of being served by internet connections from Virgin Media. This is usually only the case in city centres where Virgin (or their predecessors) have dug up the street and installed their own cable.
Virgin Cable internet is provided using different technology than ADSL and is routed to different terminal equipment. It is usually only available in areas where it is possible to get Virgin Cable TV.
If a Virgin Media internet connection is available it is a better fallback solution than a second ADSL connection since it uses completely different cable routes that do not terminate in your local exchange.
3G Mobile Connection
The simplest and cheapest fallback internet connection is one that uses the 3G mobile data networks from Vodafone, Orange, O2 and 3. These bypass completely the cable based broadband networks of BT, Virgin and others.
In order to use one of the 3G data networks it is usually necessary to buy a 3G mobile dongle that would typically plug into the USB connection of a PC or laptop.
A dongle would not be required if your laptop or router incorporates a 3G sim card holder or if your 3G smartphone supports tethering. Click here for more information on smartphone tethering.
Despite its apparent advantages, there are a few things to be aware of when using a 3G internet connection.
The first is that (despite misleadingly high advertised speeds) a 3G internet connection is much slower than a regular internet connection. This means that the 3G connection may only be good enough for sending and receiving emails.
This could be particularly significant during a widespread internet connectivity failure when congestion on the 3G network would be expected to increase.
The second point to note is that it may be necessary to use the 3G network’s mail servers for sending emails. This would require a separate fallback email account to be configured.
The final point to be aware of is cost.
A 3G mobile dongle would cost about £30 on a pay as you go package, but you would have to pay for data usage. The same dongle is likely to be free on a mobile contract, but there would be monthly data allowances.
Data use is not likely to be significant if the 3G network is going to be used only as a fallback, but if you forget to unplug the dongle, or your router doesn’t automatically switch back to the main internet connection, then there is the danger of a large bill.
Satellite Connection
A satellite based internet connection would be the only fallback option for rural customers that don’t have 3G network access or the choice of an alternative Internet Service Provider.
Satellite internet access is now available for less than £25 per month and its performance is approaching that of landline internet.
It can even be installed on a satellite dish that can be used for both TV and internet.
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Please contact Premitel if you would like advice on the fallback internet solution that is most appropriate for your situation.
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As mentioned above the router that we recommend for automatic internet connection fallback and load sharing is the Draytek 2830 series. The various Draytek models in the 2830 range are listed below and can be purchased from Amazon by clicking on the appropriate image.
 
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Draytek Vigor 2830 Router As well as the primary ADSL (WAN1) interface, the Vigor 2830 features two other WAN connections. WAN2 (Ethernet) can connect to a second ADSL modem (e.g. Vigor 120), a cable modem or any other Ethernet-based Internet feed. WAN3 is a USB port for connection of a 3G modem. The multiple WAN interfaces can be used either for WAN-Backup or load balancing.
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Draytek Vigor 2830n Router In addition to having the same WAN features as the Vigor 2830, the Vigor 2830n includes a high performance wireless access point.
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Draytek Vigor 2830Vn Router In addition to having the same WAN features as the Vigor 2830, the Vigor 2830Vn includes a high performance wireless access point and 2 x VoIP ports.
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