Five Reasons You Need Backup Internet
When you can't afford to lose connection for even a moment
Feb 20, 2026 | Share 
Internet Buying Guides
You finally did it—dug up the squeegee, found the rubber gloves, and pre-mixed your window cleaner. You queue your custom cleaning playlist, with plans to clean every spot off the glass before sundown.
You get to work, but before the beat drops in “Turn Down for What,” your earbuds stutter and go silent. Then, you feel a buzz on your wrist. Irritated, you wriggle out of the gloves, only to see an outage notification from your router. All is lost!
It is possible to finish cleaning without DJ Snake and Lil Jon, so you dig deep and power through. But later (after your connection is restored), an ad for backup internet piques your interest.
Why you may need backup internet
Housework entertainment matters! Life is too short for silence and drudgery. But if we’re being serious, there are times when saying connected is a necessity.
That’s where 4G and 5G backup internet comes in. You can get it on certain routers, like mesh systems on offer from Amazon’s Eero. You can also get backup internet as an add-on or bundle deal from all the biggest internet providers.
Below are five times backup internet may be a necessity.
Learn more about how backup internet works.
1. Your cloud-based security system keeps you safe
If your security system talks to the cloud, you need backup internet. And if your system has an app (or was installed in the last decade), it probably does.
Backup 4G LTE or 5G internet can act as a fail-safe for your fully wired internet connection, whether you’re uploading high-resolution video to the cloud or interacting with a smartphone app to unlock your front door. Better yet, it can work in a variety of outage scenarios.
Did your nasty neighbor cut your cable accidentally-on-purpose? Or perhaps Mother Nature is wreaking havoc with hurricane-force winds. Even worse, you could be part of a cyber attack or caught up in a technician-related software error that takes your internet provider out at the knees.
No matter what, 4G LTE and 5G backup internet can keep you feeling safe and secure when your primary cable or internet connection fails.
Pro tip: Don’t forget the power source
Routers need a connection to the internet to work, but they also need electricity. If you’re securing Fort Knox, make sure you have a router fitted with a backup battery, a standalone uninterruptible power supply (UPS), or a backup power generator to keep the lights blinking.
2: You have an internet-connected medical device
Modern medicine is a marvel, and the internet makes it even better. Here’s just a short list of medical devices that require a constant connection:
- Insulin pumps that allow healthcare providers to adjust insulin basal rates remotely
- Smart inhalers for asthma or COPD that track usage frequency and geographical triggers
- Digital pulse oximeters that transmit blood oxygen levels to monitoring teams
- Wearable cardiac monitors that record heart rhythms and transmit potential arrhythmias to your doctor
If these connected medical devices help you or your family stay healthy, you need a backup internet connection that kicks in automatically.
3: You manage stocks
Backup internet is great for anyone who works remotely, but it is absolutely essential for anyone who trades stocks.
Spending $20 per month on backup internet could save you (or your clients) thousands of dollars. If your internet drops after you’ve bought a volatile stock but before you’ve set your sell order, for example, you could be in quite the pickle. Backup internet could save your bacon.
Who has time to struggle with two-factor authentication on IBKR in a high-stakes moment?
4: You live or work in a remote area
Fresh air, that sweet smell of pine, and nothing but birdsong for miles and miles. Sounds like a dream, right? But that dream could quickly turn into a nightmare if you take a big fall, run out of supplies, or lose a fight with a rusty rake.
If disaster strikes and you’re in the middle of nowhere, you need a way to connect to the outside world. If there’s also an outage with your old wired DSL or cable setup, you could be in real trouble.
When you need to be safe in your solitude, invest in a backup internet connection you can set and forget.
5: Severe weather is a common occurrence
Let’s face it, natural disasters could happen to anyone at any time. Were the denizens of Pompeii expecting the clouds of ash and flame that came their way?
That said, some places are more prone to hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, or floods than other places. If you live in an area that’s known for severe storms, you already know you could lose power or internet connectivity in moments.
But you might not know that having a router with 4G or 5G failover can keep you connected. Even if the local towers go down, major mobile providers send out cell sites on wheels (SatCOWs) and light trucks (SatCOLTs) that bring mobile networks back faster than crews can fix cable and fiber infrastructure.
How much should you pay for backup internet?
If you get internet service from a major national provider, you can add backup internet to your monthly plan for $20 per month or less.
The cheapest backup internet add-on out there is StayConnect from Cox, which offers the service for $7 per month. However, you can get INVINCIBLE WiFi™ for free if you have a 2 Gig plan from Spectrum.
AT&T Fiber also offers free backup internet, but only if you already bundle with one of its Unlimited wireless plans.
Do you need home internet with 4G backup built in?
Enter your zip code for a list of local providers.
What if you can’t get a failover router from your provider?
If you can’t get backup internet as an add-on from your internet provider, don’t stress it. Just invest in a USB-C-powered router from Eero with a rating of Wi-Fi 6 (or greater). Then add a Signal device and the Eero Plus subscription. You can pay $99 annually for 10GB of backup data for the entire year, or you can pay $199 annually for 100GB of data per month. Watch for discounts and deals that include free service when you purchase.
If Eero’s not in the cards for you, consider traditional backup internet via satellite, mobile hotspot, or even the smartphone you already have in your back pocket. It may be more expensive than 4G failover, or more of a hassle to set up. Or both.
Conclusion
More than 60% U.S. homes can get fiber internet now—it’s the fastest, most stable connection we’ve ever seen. Even top cable internet providers provide speeds that are as fast or faster than promised at least 90% of the time.
It’s all more reliable than ever, but the truth is that we need internet access now more than we have. Connectivity is built into the fabric of our lives, for everything from finances to health care and disaster preparedness. And yes, even for DJ Snake.
Learn more about which providers offer backup internet. You might already have the option, and it could cost less than a single night of DoorDash.
FAQ about backup internet
How does backup internet work?
Author - Chili Palmer
Chili Palmer covers home tech services, with a special focus on understanding what families need and how they can stay connected on a budget. She handles internet access and affordability, breaking news, mobile services, and consumer trends. Chili’s work as a writer, reporter, and editor has appeared in publications including Telecompetitor, Utah Business, Idaho Business Review, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, and Switchful.com.
Editor - Jessica Brooksby
Jessica loves bringing her passion for the written word and her love of tech into one space at HighSpeedInternet.com. She works with the team’s writers to revise strong, user-focused content so every reader can find the tech that works for them. Jessica has a bachelor’s degree in English from Utah Valley University and seven years of creative and editorial experience. Outside of work, she spends her time gaming, reading, painting, and buying an excessive amount of Legend of Zelda merchandise.
Related Posts
