Fallback

In the telecommunications field, fallback solutions are mainly used in the professional sector. However, private telecommunications equipment can be protected with fallback technologies. Many organisations have a fallback system in place for their Internet connection, as it is often essential for the company to be able to operate their daily business. This system would mean having a wired Internet connection from their usual provider, complemented with a second connection from another provider as a fallback solution. Mobile technologies with a high bandwidth, such as LTE or UMTS, are often used as a fallback. Many Internet access routers will be able to detect the failure of the primary connection autonomously and automatically switch to the fallback option. Also, when the primary connection is operational again, the switch back to using that can take place automatically. As use of the fallback connection often results in higher costs, it is usually advantageous to reconnect to the the primary line at the earliest opportunity, once it is operational again.

Many domestic Internet routers are also able to support fallback connections. They can be expanded with a variety of devices, such as UMTS or LTE surfsticks, through which, if necessary, an Internet connection can be established, via the mobile network.

Some Voice over IP (VoIP) telephone systems have an alternative ISDN connection, which can be used as a fallback. If the VoIP connection is lost, the telephone system routes calls via the ISDN network. If a company uses modern, virtual cloud telephone systems, it is usually sufficient to protect the Internet connection with a fallback solution, in order to access the cloud. If the fallback solution restores the connection to the Internet, the cloud telephone system is accessible and usable.