Suggestions for a backup broadband supply.

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › Suggestions for a backup broadband supply.

gnfb

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#309307 7-Oct-2023 10:14

I am on slingshot fiber unlimited. Over night and in the morning there was connectivity issues with accessing the net. It once again bought home to me the impact of NO internet has on me. No ring cameras for one. Although I obviously can you use my mobile, I am wondering if it would be smart to have a "backup" system, spare router the works.(maybe not fibre) One that connects to a different network than slingshot, which I think is 2 degrees.

So suggestions of how to approach this situation , what do you suggest.

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Jiriteach

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#3143891 7-Oct-2023 10:20

Totally doable. Depends on how much you value having a backup - really is a personal choice as its ultimately about cost.
If you want it smartly done - you would need to have a router that supports multiple WAN's and failover.

I run a Ubiquiti setup so have a UDM Pro where my primary connection is Fibre with failover to 4G/5G .
For 4G/5G - I am using a SSM2 from Spark on a Wireless Broadband plan from them.

The UDM Pro takes take of the failover automatically as it detects any issues with the primary connection, it seamelessly fails over (~ 2-5sec) to backup so its unnoticable.
The UDM Pro also notifies you this is the case and will restore its primary when primary is back.

So its doable and its also doable is many ways, just depends on how much you want to change and how much you want to spend on a setup like this.

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

sqishy

470 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3143903 7-Oct-2023 11:59

Anything beyond fibre infrastructure tends to incur higher costs for installation and operation. To switch to a different service provider or segregate networks, you may need to lay down an additional fibre connection and ONT.

Telcos typically schedule their maintenance during the early hours, like 2am on certain mornings, which explains why outages, though not intended to occur frequently, may still happen occasionally.

coffeebaron

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#3143907 7-Oct-2023 12:21

What's your budget?

You can get a Draytek dual WAN router and a Starlink connection on their 40GB priority plan - $260 per month. This should give you a very diverse backup path. Sometimes when there is a major fibre outage, it can also take out local 4G towers, so Starlink would be the most diverse option. 4G failover would also be good most of the time, $130 per month for a 4G connection on an unlocked SIM, plug this into a Draytek LTE router and you're good to go.

Also cheaper options available if you're not fussed about CGNAT, data allowance and monitoring of the connection etc.

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