Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Gueeds

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 29, 2015
124
105
Not sure such a thing exists but here is what I'm looking for:

An always on (connected to a UPS in the event of a power outage) cellular router or hotspot for my smart devices. The idea being if my house loses all wired connections coming in, I'd have a backup internet connection to still for emergencies should I be away. Remaining devices would also be on a battery backup too. Some devices would always be connected to this network.

I expect data usage to be low, so a pay as you go plan would be ideal. Hotspots seem to be more light usage rather than 24/7. Routers I've found tend to be more commercial grade.

Is there anything like I'm looking for in the consumer space?
 

glenthompson

macrumors demi-god
Apr 27, 2011
2,983
844
Virginia
I think your problem is going to be how to handle the failover from the wired connection to a cellular connection. Devices that do this automatically are going to be expensive as it's not a normal consumer item.

All my network gear is covered by a UPS for power outages and restores automatically when power is restored. We recently had an outage that outlasted the UPS so went elsewhere. I was able to see when the power came back on by checking into my home automation system.
 

monokakata

macrumors 68020
May 8, 2008
2,063
605
Ithaca, NY
There are wireless routers out there that can have a built-in cellular modem to which you add a SIM card from the carrier of your choice. I'm not sure whether failover is completely automatic or not, but it shouldn't be hard to find out.

http://3gstore.com/product/5242_cradlepoint_arc_mbr1400_lte_verizon_multiband.html

I installed an older Cradlepoint cellular router 4 or 5 years ago for a friend, and it worked well. We bumped up the signal strength by adding a directional antenna on her roof. When she switched to a satellite connection, the router simply worked as a router.

I've dealt with 3G stores and they are a decent operation.
 

smartmoney

macrumors newbie
Jun 9, 2008
12
0
Easy solution. Buy a 3G/4g router from cradlepoint or TP link etc. ($30-100) use a USB modem from carrier of choice. Mikrotik RBxxx ($45-75)or Ubiquiti Edgerouter (50-100) can be setup to use the cellular connection from the router as a failover network.
I use this setup at many of my WISP towers to manage equipment if there is a failure.
At my home I have my Edgerouter Pro managing 3 different internet connections and a cellular last ditch failover. Never lost internet access sine I set this up many years ago.
Ubiquiti routers are not the most consumer friendly but there is now a quick start that has a failover network and a load balancing network

https://community.ubnt.com/t5/EdgeMAX/Basic-SOHO-Home-Config/td-p/398055
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.