LTE Failover Explained: How Automatic Backup Internet Works
Jethan Maharaj
Tech Lead, MWCOM
In South Africa's load shedding era, losing internet connectivity during power outages can cripple business operations. LTE failover provides an elegant solution: automatic backup internet that activates within seconds when your primary fibre connection fails. This comprehensive technical guide explains exactly how LTE failover works, what equipment you need, and how to implement it for your South African business.
What is LTE Failover?
LTE failover (also called LTE backup or redundant internet) is a technology that provides automatic backup connectivity by switching to a cellular LTE network when your primary internet connection fails. The key word is automatic—no manual intervention required.
Core Components
An LTE failover system consists of three essential components:
Primary Connection
Your main business internet (typically fibre) providing fast, uncapped connectivity
LTE Backup
Cellular connection that activates automatically when primary fails
Failover Router
Intelligent device that monitors connections and switches automatically
Why Businesses Need LTE Failover
In South Africa's current environment, LTE failover isn't a luxury—it's a necessity:
- Load Shedding Protection: Fibre internet fails when ONT (Optical Network Terminal) loses power. LTE runs on battery backup.
- Fibre Cuts & Outages: Construction accidents and infrastructure failures happen. Redundancy prevents total connectivity loss.
- ISP Network Issues: Even without power outages, fibre networks experience downtime. LTE provides alternative routing.
- Business Continuity: Cloud applications, VoIP phones, payment processing, and customer communications require uninterrupted connectivity.
- Cost of Downtime: For most businesses, 4 hours of lost productivity costs more than a year of LTE failover service.
Real-World Impact:
During Stage 6 load shedding (6+ hours daily power cuts), businesses without backup connectivity lose an estimated R8,000-R15,000 per day in productivity. An R899/month LTE failover investment pays for itself by preventing just 3 hours of annual downtime.
How LTE Failover Works: Step-by-Step
Understanding the technical process helps appreciate the elegance of automatic failover:
Normal Operation: Dual-Connection Monitoring
The LTE failover router maintains two active connections simultaneously: your primary fibre internet (WAN1) and the LTE cellular connection (WAN2). Under normal conditions, all traffic routes through the faster fibre connection. The router continuously monitors both connections by sending heartbeat packets every 5-10 seconds to verify connectivity.
Failure Detection: Primary Connection Lost
When load shedding begins or fibre fails, the primary connection stops responding to heartbeat packets. The router detects this failure within 5-10 seconds through missed responses. Most failover routers require 3-5 consecutive failed heartbeats (configurable) before declaring the connection dead, preventing false positives from brief network hiccups.
Automatic Switchover: LTE Activation
Once primary failure is confirmed, the router's failover logic activates the LTE connection. The routing table updates to direct all internet traffic through WAN2 (LTE) instead of WAN1 (fibre). This process takes 15-20 seconds. Active TCP connections (like downloads or video streams) may drop, but most applications (email, web browsing, cloud apps) reconnect automatically.
Battery Operation: Maintaining Power
During load shedding, the LTE router runs on its built-in battery (typically 4-8 hours runtime depending on model and load). The router prioritizes power efficiency, dimming status LEDs and reducing transmission power slightly to extend battery life. For longer outages, connecting the router to a UPS or inverter can extend operation to match your backup power duration.
User Experience: Seamless Connectivity
From the user's perspective, there's a brief 20-30 second interruption. Web pages may need refreshing, active downloads restart, and VoIP calls drop (but can be redialed immediately). Cloud applications like Office 365, email clients, and business software reconnect automatically. Most users won't even notice they're on the backup connection—internet simply continues working.
Continuous Monitoring: Waiting for Restoration
While running on LTE backup, the router continues monitoring the primary fibre connection. Every 30-60 seconds, it tests whether the fibre link has returned by sending heartbeat packets. This process is invisible to users and consumes negligible LTE data.
Automatic Failback: Returning to Primary
When power returns and the fibre connection becomes available again, the router detects successful heartbeat responses. After confirming stability (typically 3-5 consecutive successful heartbeats), it automatically switches traffic back to the faster primary connection. Users experience another brief 10-20 second interruption, then enjoy full-speed fibre internet again. The LTE connection remains active and monitoring, ready for the next failover event.
Total Downtime During Failover
Compare this to 2-4 hours of complete downtime without backup—LTE failover reduces disruption by 99.7%.
Technical Requirements & Equipment
Implementing LTE failover requires specific hardware and configuration:
1. LTE Failover Router
The brain of the system—a specialized router with dual-WAN failover capability and LTE modem:
Essential Router Features:
- Dual WAN Ports: One for fibre (WAN1), one for LTE (WAN2 via built-in modem)
- Built-in LTE Modem: CAT4 minimum (150 Mbps), CAT6 preferred (300 Mbps), CAT12 ideal (600 Mbps)
- SIM Card Slot: Standard or micro SIM for cellular data plan
- Failover Logic: Automatic WAN switching based on connection health monitoring
- Battery Backup: Built-in 10,000-15,000 mAh battery (4-8 hour runtime)
- External Antenna Ports: 2x LTE antenna connections (MIMO) for signal optimization
- WiFi Capability: 802.11ac dual-band (2.4 + 5 GHz) for wireless connectivity
- Ethernet Ports: 4+ LAN ports for wired devices
Popular Models:
- • Mikrotik LtAP / wAP LTE (entry-level, R2,500-R4,000)
- • Teltonika RUT240 / RUT950 (business-grade, R4,500-R6,500)
- • Peplink MAX BR1 Pro (enterprise, R12,000-R18,000)
- • Netgear Nighthawk M series (prosumer, R6,000-R9,000)
2. LTE Data SIM Card & Plan
Cellular connectivity requires an active data SIM from a South African network provider:
| Provider | Network Quality | Business Data Costs | Typical Speeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodacom | Excellent urban, good rural | R8-R12/GB | 25-50 Mbps LTE |
| MTN | Excellent nationwide | R7-R11/GB | 30-50 Mbps LTE |
| Cell C | Good urban, variable rural | R6-R9/GB | 20-40 Mbps LTE |
| Rain | Excellent metro, limited rural | Unlimited R499-R899/month | 10-30 Mbps (5G: 50-100 Mbps) |
Recommended Allocation:
- Small Office (1-5 users): 50GB monthly (covers 4-6 hours daily failover usage)
- Medium Office (6-15 users): 100GB monthly (covers typical Stage 4-6 load shedding)
- Large Office (16+ users): 200GB+ monthly or unlimited throttled plans
3. Power Backup (UPS/Battery)
While LTE routers have built-in batteries, extending runtime requires additional backup:
- Built-in Battery Alone: 4-8 hours (sufficient for most load shedding sessions)
- Connected to UPS (650VA): 6-12 hours (also powers fibre ONT and network switch)
- Connected to Inverter: Runtime matches backup power capacity (12-24+ hours possible)
4. External LTE Antenna (Optional but Recommended)
Improves signal strength and speeds, especially in areas with weak cellular coverage:
- Directional Antenna: Yagi or panel antenna pointed at nearest cell tower (20-25 dBi gain)
- Omni-directional Antenna: 360-degree coverage for rooftop mounting (8-12 dBi gain)
- MIMO Configuration: Two antennas for optimal LTE performance (diversity)
- Cost: R400-R1,500 per antenna depending on type and gain
Performance Improvement:
External antennas can improve LTE speeds by 2-5x and reduce latency significantly. A business getting 8 Mbps indoors might see 25-40 Mbps with a properly positioned external antenna. The R800-R1,500 investment is worthwhile for reliable failover performance.
Real-World Performance: What to Expect
LTE Speeds During Failover
Modern LTE networks in South Africa provide adequate speeds for business continuity:
| Network Type | Download Speed | Upload Speed | Latency |
|---|---|---|---|
| LTE (CAT4) | 20-40 Mbps | 5-15 Mbps | 30-60ms |
| LTE-A (CAT6) | 40-80 Mbps | 10-25 Mbps | 25-50ms |
| 5G (where available) | 100-300 Mbps | 30-80 Mbps | 15-30ms |
| For comparison: Business Fibre | 100-1000 Mbps | 100-1000 Mbps | 5-15ms |
What Works on LTE Failover?
Works Perfectly
- ✓ Email (Outlook, Gmail)
- ✓ Web browsing
- ✓ Cloud apps (Office 365, Xero, Salesforce)
- ✓ VoIP calls (3-5 simultaneous with good quality)
- ✓ WhatsApp Business, Slack, Teams chat
- ✓ Payment processing / point-of-sale
- ✓ File uploads/downloads (slower but functional)
- ✓ Video conferencing (1-2 participants)
- ✓ Remote desktop / TeamViewer
Limited Performance
- ⚠ Large file downloads (slower)
- ⚠ Cloud backups (consume significant data)
- ⚠ Video conferencing (3+ participants laggy)
- ⚠ HD video streaming (YouTube, training videos)
- ⚠ Multiple simultaneous VoIP calls (6+ users)
- ⚠ Remote server access (higher latency)
- ⚠ Software updates (possible but slow)
Data Consumption Patterns
Understanding data usage helps choose the right failover package:
| Activity | Data per Hour | 4 Hours Failover |
|---|---|---|
| Email & Light Browsing | 50-100 MB | 200-400 MB |
| VoIP Calls (1 concurrent) | 60-80 MB | 240-320 MB |
| Cloud Apps (Office 365, Xero) | 150-250 MB | 600 MB - 1 GB |
| Video Conference (720p) | 500-800 MB | 2-3.2 GB |
| General Business Use (10 users) | 1.5-2.5 GB | 6-10 GB |
Monthly Estimate (Stage 4 Load Shedding): 4-6 hours daily failover × 20 working days = 30-60 GB monthly for a 10-person office with moderate usage.
MWCOM LTE Failover Packages
We provide complete, professionally installed LTE failover solutions:
Essential Backup
R899/month
- LTE failover router (CAT4, 4-hour battery)
- 50GB monthly data allocation
- Automatic failover configuration
- Professional installation & testing
- 24/7 technical support
- Data top-ups available (R10/GB)
Best for: Small offices (1-5 employees), basic failover needs
Business Pro
R1,499/month
- Enterprise LTE router (CAT6, 8-hour battery)
- 100GB monthly data allocation
- Priority network access (business SIM)
- External MIMO antenna kit included
- Load shedding schedule integration
- Advanced monitoring dashboard
- Premium support (1-hour response SLA)
Best for: Medium offices (6-15 employees), critical operations
What's Included in All Packages
- LTE failover router (yours to keep)
- Data SIM card activated
- Professional installation (2-4 hours)
- Failover configuration & testing
- Integration with existing network
- Staff training on monitoring
- Ongoing support & maintenance
- No long-term contracts required
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LTE failover?
LTE failover is an automatic backup internet system that detects when your primary fibre connection fails (during load shedding or network outages) and immediately switches to a cellular LTE network. The transition happens within 20-30 seconds, maintaining business connectivity without manual intervention. It's the most reliable solution for South African businesses facing frequent power outages.
How fast does LTE failover switch?
LTE failover typically switches within 20-30 seconds total. The router detects primary connection failure in 5-10 seconds through missed heartbeat packets, then activates the LTE connection and reroutes traffic in another 15-20 seconds. Users experience a brief interruption but most cloud applications reconnect automatically. This is 99.7% faster than waiting hours for power restoration.
Does LTE failover work during load shedding?
Yes, LTE failover is specifically designed for load shedding protection. The LTE router has a built-in battery (4-8 hour runtime depending on model) that keeps it operational during power outages. When your fibre internet fails due to power loss, the battery-powered LTE connection takes over automatically. For extended outages, connecting to a UPS extends runtime to 12+ hours. Learn more about complete load shedding business solutions.
How much does LTE failover cost?
LTE failover packages from MWCOM cost R899-R1,499 per month including the LTE router with battery, SIM card, 50-100GB data allocation, professional installation, and 24/7 support. This is significantly cheaper than revenue losses from internet downtime during load shedding. Most businesses save R30,000-R100,000 annually by maintaining operations during outages. View complete pricing details.
Is LTE backup internet fast enough for business?
Yes, modern LTE networks in South Africa provide 20-50 Mbps download speeds (CAT4/CAT6 modems), sufficient for essential business operations during the temporary failover period. This covers VoIP calls (3-5 simultaneous), email, cloud applications (Office 365, Xero), payment processing, and basic web browsing for most SMEs. It's not as fast as your primary fibre, but more than adequate for the 2-4 hour load shedding window.
How much data does LTE failover use?
Data consumption depends on failover frequency and usage patterns. During typical Stage 4 load shedding (4-6 hours daily), expect 30-60GB monthly usage for a 10-person office with moderate cloud app usage and VoIP calls. Light usage (email and browsing) consumes 15-25GB monthly, while heavy usage (video conferencing, large downloads) can reach 80-120GB. MWCOM packages include 50-100GB allocations with automatic top-ups available (R10/GB) if exceeded.
Can I use LTE as my primary business internet?
Yes, LTE can serve as primary connectivity in areas without fibre coverage, but it's more expensive for high data usage and has lower speeds/higher latency. Most businesses use fibre as primary (faster speeds, uncapped data, lower cost per GB) and LTE as automatic backup for load shedding protection and redundancy. This provides best-of-both-worlds: speed when available, continuity when needed.
What equipment is needed for LTE failover?
LTE failover requires: (1) LTE failover router with dual-WAN capability, built-in LTE modem, and battery backup, (2) data SIM card with active cellular plan from Vodacom/MTN/Cell C, (3) power backup (built-in battery or UPS connection), (4) optional external antenna for better signal strength. MWCOM packages include all equipment pre-configured and professionally installed—just plug into your existing network.
How long does LTE failover setup take?
Professional LTE failover installation takes 2-4 hours including: router physical installation, network integration, failover configuration, SIM activation, testing primary-to-LTE switching, battery backup setup, and staff training. Systems are typically scheduled and operational within 48-72 hours of ordering. MWCOM provides full installation and testing as part of the package—no technical knowledge required from your side.
Will my VoIP phones work on LTE failover?
Yes, VoIP phone systems work perfectly on LTE failover, though active calls may drop during the 20-30 second switchover period. Calls can be redialed immediately and continue on the LTE connection with good quality (each call uses ~100 kbps). For truly seamless call continuity during failover, use VoIP mobile apps on smartphones that run on cellular data independently of your office internet. See our VoIP comparison guide.
Protect Your Business with LTE Failover
Load shedding isn't ending anytime soon. Every hour your business operates without internet backup is a gamble—one unexpected outage during a critical period can cost more than years of LTE failover service. Don't let the next power cut cost you customers, revenue, and reputation.
Get LTE Failover Installed in 48 Hours
MWCOM's LTE failover packages provide complete load shedding protection with professional installation, testing, and ongoing support. Never lose connectivity again.
R899-R1,499/month all-inclusive • Professional installation • 24/7 support • No contracts