Business Continuity

Backup Connectivity

Ensure your school stays connected when your primary line fails. Backup connectivity is no longer optional — it's a DfE digital standard.

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Why Backup Connectivity Matters

As schools increasingly rely on cloud-based platforms for teaching, learning, and administration, a single point of failure in your internet connection can bring your entire school to a standstill.

Cloud Dependency

MIS systems, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, safeguarding tools, CCTV and VoIP telephony all depend on a live internet connection. No connectivity means no teaching, no registers, no safeguarding, and no phone system.

Exam & Assessment Risk

Online examinations and assessments require continuous, stable connectivity. A connection failure during an exam period can have serious consequences for students and staff.

Automatic Failover

Our backup solutions provide automatic failover, meaning if your primary connection drops, your backup kicks in seamlessly — often before users even notice.

DfE Digital Standards

A Core Pillar of the DfE Digital & Technology Standards

The Department for Education's Digital and Technology Standards identify resilient connectivity as one of the core pillars for schools. The standards explicitly recommend that schools have a backup internet connection to ensure continuity of education.

Schools are expected to have resilient infrastructure that minimises downtime and supports uninterrupted access to digital services. A backup connection is a key component of meeting this requirement.

DfE Key Recommendations

Schools should have a backup internet connection that activates automatically

Backup should ideally use a diverse route or carrier to avoid single points of failure

Connectivity should support cloud-first strategies and digital teaching platforms

Infrastructure must be resilient and monitored to minimise educational disruption

Our Backup Connectivity Solutions

Broadband4 offers a range of backup options to suit every school's budget and requirements. All solutions are delivered over our own network, hosted in Tier 1 UK datacentres.

Diverse Routed (RO2) & Carrier Diverse Leased Lines

The gold standard for backup connectivity. A second dedicated leased line delivered via a physically separate route (RO2) or through an alternative carrier ensures that even if a cable is cut or an exchange fails, your school remains online.

  • Physically separate fibre path from primary connection
  • Guaranteed symmetrical bandwidth (1Gbps – 10Gbps)
  • Carrier-grade SLAs with rapid fault resolution
  • Ideal for MATs and schools with critical cloud dependencies

Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)

A high-speed full-fibre connection delivered directly to your school. FTTP provides ultrafast speeds at a lower cost than a leased line, making it an excellent backup option with strong performance capabilities.

  • Speeds up to 1Gbps download
  • Dedicated fibre to your premises — not shared
  • Cost-effective alternative to a second leased line
  • Rapidly expanding UK coverage (82%+)

SoGEA

Single Order Generic Ethernet Access provides a broadband-only connection without requiring a traditional phone line. SoGEA is a budget-friendly backup option that can be deployed quickly with wide availability across the UK.

  • Speeds up to 80Mbps — sufficient for essential services
  • No phone line required — simpler, lower cost
  • Widely available across the UK
  • Fast deployment with minimal lead times

Starlink Satellite

SpaceX's Starlink low-earth orbit satellite network provides high-speed internet from space — completely independent of terrestrial infrastructure. Ideal as a last-resort backup or for rural schools where diverse fixed-line options are limited.

  • Speeds of 50–250Mbps with low latency (20–40ms)
  • Completely independent of ground-based infrastructure
  • Quick self-install with no civil works required
  • Perfect for rural or hard-to-reach school locations

How It Works

1

Survey & Assess

We assess your primary connection, infrastructure and location to recommend the best backup solution.

2

Design & Configure

We design automatic failover between primary and backup, ensuring seamless switchover with no user intervention.

3

Install & Test

Professional installation with full failover testing to confirm your backup activates correctly under real conditions.

4

Monitor 24/7

Our NOC monitors both connections around the clock, proactively managing faults before they affect your school.