A Bridge Over Troubled Internet

Think back to the last time the internet crashed at your office. Was it a little chaotic? No computers, no phones, no point of sale system. Staff barging in and pinging you on chat, asking you what’s going on while you’re trying to call the internet provider (ISP). 

Sometimes, it’s just a blip, and the internet is right back up, but other times, outages can be hours or even days (yikes!). If you have a hosted VoIP phone system, you can ease the pain by having a failover in place. 

ISP or LTE – Phone Failover Options

Using a secondary ISP or installing an LTE connection are two failover options. Without getting too technical, LTE uses cellphone towers to provide internet service. It’s how your cellphone connects to the internet when WiFi is unavailable. 

Having another ISP will be expensive because you’re doubling your monthly internet bill regardless of whether you use the service or not. LTE failovers are generally more cost-effective because pricing depends on usage. Either way, you’ll be installing an additional piece of equipment at your office. 

LTE Choices

Your hosted VoIP phone system can integrate with one of three LTE failover tiers. They all require a SIM card, which you may have to supply depending on your phone service provider.

Basic

• Manual – You move a cable from your VoIP router to the backup.
• Downtime is about 30 seconds from when you switch the cable.
• If you’re on a call, it will disconnect.
• If you’re not on a call, you’ll see your phone reboot.

Standard – Hot Failover 

• Automatic – You don’t have to move a cable.
• It takes 10 to 15 seconds to boot after losing the primary connection.
• If you’re on a call, it will disconnect. 
• If you’re not on a call, you probably won’t even know it happened.

Premium – WAN Smoothing

• Automatic – You don’t have to move a cable.
• No downtime.
• If you’re on a call, it won’t drop.
• If you’re not on a call, you won’t even know it happened.

Your VoIP Provider in Lafayette, IN

While having a failover for your internet-based phones doesn’t solve the ultimate issue—restoring your primary internet connection—it allows you to stay connected with customers as you work to get the other systems back up.

Implementing failovers for VoIP systems is a relatively new concept. Still, the experts at UpLync Communications, a VoIP provider in Lafayette, Indiana, can help you dig into which option is right for your business. Contact us for a free consultation.