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Tool · backup internet

Failover Builder: plan a backup line

Answer five questions about your work, your house and your budget. Get a main line, a backup line, a router that switches by itself and a UPS, with dated prices and what it won’t cover.

Quick answer

The backup that works is a second line on a different path (cellular, or a DSL/fixed-wireless line), joined by a dual-WAN router that switches in seconds, with a UPS under it. A second dish on the same sky doesn’t count.

Prices checked Research-based, not measured by us

Runs in your browser. No address, no name, nothing stored. Prices checked Oct 5, 2026, US, before tax.

What has to keep working?
People working online at the same time

On calls or uploading at the same time, on the worst day.

Best wired or fixed service you can order at the address

Fiber or cable here changes the answer. Check your providers’ sites; we don’t need the address.

How often does the power go out?
Cell signal at the house, by carrier

Your own judgment. Not sure? Leave it; the recipe tells you how to check in 2 minutes.

T-Mobile
Verizon
AT&T
Budget for the backup setup

Your recipe appears here

Answer the five questions and press “Build my backup plan”. It takes about a minute.

How failover is wired

How automatic failover is wiredThe main line plugs into WAN 1 of a dual-WAN router and the backup line into WAN 2. The router checks the internet every few seconds and moves traffic to the backup when the main line fails. A UPS powers the main-line equipment, the backup device and the router. The work computer plugs into the router with Ethernet.Main linesatellite / fiber / cableBackup linecellular / second ISPDual-WAN routerhealth check every few sWAN1 → WAN2 on failureWork computerEthernetWAN 1WAN 2UPS: main-line gear + backup device + router
Main line into WAN 1, backup into WAN 2, router set to failover with a health check to a public address. When the main line stops answering, everyone moves to the backup in seconds; calls and VPNs reconnect because the public address changes. The UPS keeps all three boxes up through short power cuts.

Set the router to failover, not load balancing, and give it a health check to a public address. Load balancing spreads one person’s connections across both lines, which can confuse VPNs and call apps; failover keeps everyone on the main line until it fails. If you use your own router with Starlink, the Starlink router goes into bypass mode.

Backup data plans, checked Oct 5, 2026

Plan prices depend on AutoPay and on other lines with the same carrier; read the notes. Prices marked “snippet” were read in search results because the carrier’s page blocked us, so check them at the carrier before you buy.

PlanPriceDataNotes
T-Mobile Home Internet Backup$20/mo100 hours/month + three free 100-hour Backup Passes per year$20/mo with AutoPay, or $10 with a T-Mobile voice line. Changed from 130 GB to 100 hours (Mar 2026). Gateway included, automatic switchover, no monthly equipment fee. Price without AutoPay conflicts in snippets ($25 vs $30), so it is unverified.
Verizon Wi-Fi Backup$20–$30/moUnlimited data for 7 24-hour sessions/month$20 with Auto Pay + any Verizon mobile plan; $25 with Auto Pay only; $30 without Auto Pay. Router included. You start each 24-hour session in the app or on the device.
Verizon Business Backup & Flexible Use Internet$20–$30/mo1 GB ($20) or 3 GB ($30) per lineBusiness only. Snippet from verizon.com. A $10/500 MB tier also appeared in snippets but is not confirmed.
AT&T Internet Air (fixed wireless)$55–$65/moUnlimited$55 with AutoPay + paperless (carrier page). Secondary sources: $65 without AutoPay, $35–47 with an eligible wireless plan. No annual contract; All-Fi Hub included. AT&T: 'if your usage is contributing to congestion on the network, AT&T will greatly reduce your speed for a min. of 30 min.' This is a full home ISP, not a backup-only plan.
AT&T Prepaid data (tablet/hotspot)$35–$90/mo15 GB $35; 20 GB $25/mo if $300 prepaid for 12 mo; 50 GB $55; 100 GB $90; add 5 GB for $10Prepaid. Postpaid DataConnect: 50 GB $55 with AutoPay/paperless ($65 without), 100 GB $90 ($100). Page updated 2026-03-02.
Verizon Prepaid hotspot & router data$40–$100/mo5 GB $40; 25 GB $60; 100 GB $80; 150 GB $100First-line prices; extra lines $30 less. After the cap: 600 Kbps on 5G/4G LTE (3 Mbps on 5G UW for 100/150 GB plans). Prepaid, no contract.
T-Mobile postpaid hotspot data plans$20–$50/mo5 GB $20; 10 GB $30; 30 GB $40; 100 GB $50Snippet from t-mobile.com (the site blocks fetching). Prices with AutoPay; $5 more per line without. 600 Kbps after the cap. The 100 GB plan may be deprioritized during congestion. Re-check before launch.
T-Mobile Prepaid hotspot dataprice not checkedunverifiedunverifiedSnippets disagree (for example $10/2 GB … $50/50 GB vs a $25/25 GB data-only plan). Not confirmed.
Visible (Verizon MVNO) phone plans used as hotspot$25–$45/moUnlimited data; unlimited hotspot capped at 5 / 10 / 15 MbpsVisible $25 (hotspot up to 5 Mbps); Visible+ $35, or $30 with code 5OFF5 (10 Mbps, premium data); Visible+ Pro $45, or $40 with code (15 Mbps). Base Visible data can slow during congestion. Phone plans, so hotspot runs through a phone.
US Mobile unlimited plans (hotspot)$17.50–$44/moFlex 5 GB hotspot ($17.50); Starter 20 GB hotspot ($25); Premium unlimited hotspot ($44)Snippets from usmobile.com. Promo first-year prices are lower. Use in a dedicated router/data-only SIM not confirmed.
Google Fi data-only SIMprice not checkedunverifiedCounts toward plan: Flexible up to 15 GB, Unlimited Premium up to 100 GB high-speed, then 256 kbpsGoogle: 'There's no additional cost to use a data-only SIM.' Works only on Flexible and Unlimited Premium. 'Tethering isn't supported on devices with data-only SIMs.' Base plan price not verified.
Starlink Standby Mode (note only)price not checkedunverifiedUnlimited low-speed data, up to 500 Kbps down/upPrice conflicts: $5/mo at launch (Sep 2025), a reported increase to $10 (May 2026, secondary), and $8.50 in a starlink.com CIS PDF (probably non-US). Not a real failover link for video calls. Requires an existing kit.
Xfinity Storm-Ready WiFi (note only)price not checkedunverifiedCellular backup + 4-hour battery (Xfinity customers only)2023 launch price was $7/mo for 36 months ($252). Current price not verified.

Gear the recipes use

PartPrice rangeExamplesWhat it does
Budget dual-WAN router$49.99–$59.99TP-Link Omada ER605 multi-WAN router2 WAN ports, failover with health checks, no Wi-Fi (keep the Starlink router or an access point for Wi-Fi) Omada store price; compare-at price shown as the high end.
Mid-range dual-WAN router or gateway$99.99–$169.99TP-Link Omada ER707-M2 multi-gig router; Ubiquiti UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra (UCG-Ultra); GL.iNet Flint 2 (GL-MT6000) Wi-Fi 6 routerFailover with health checks; Flint 2 includes Wi-Fi 6; UCG-Ultra pairs with UniFi gear Ubiquiti adds a US surcharge at checkout (high end includes it). GL.iNet price seen in its store and on Amazon US.
Business-grade dual-WAN router$359Peplink B One (Wi-Fi 6) dual-WAN routerPeplink: health checks per WAN, SpeedFusion-capable (subscription) for session-keeping failover Reseller price; Peplink sells through resellers.
5G hotspot with Ethernet or USB tethering$129.99–$349.99Verizon 5G hotspot (carrier-branded); T-Mobile 5G hotspot (carrier-branded)Carrier-branded 5G hotspot; manual switch unless it has an Ethernet port into a dual-WAN router Carrier full retail; device payment plans and promos vary.
5G cellular router (feeds WAN 2)$379.99–$467GL.iNet Spitz AX (GL-X3000) 5G router5G modem + Ethernet WAN/LAN, external antenna ports GL.iNet store vs Amazon US price differ; both shown.
Business 5G cellular router$599–$649Peplink MAX BR1 Mini 5GPeplink MAX BR1 Mini 5G, remote management (InControl) Reseller price.
Outdoor cellular antenna (MIMO, for weak signal)price not checked—Matches the router's antenna connectors; mount high, aim at the tower Not priced yet.
Small UPS (short power blips)$91.13–$114.95CyberPower CP685AVR(G); APC Back-UPS 600 (BE600M1)About 600–685 VA; minutes, not hours, for a dish + router Retail and reseller listings; Amazon deal prices can be lower.
Larger UPS (longer runtime)$239–$339.99CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD PFC Sinewave; APC Back-UPS Pro 1500 (BR1500MS2)1500 VA class; size runtime to your gear's watts Retail listings seen in search results.
Starlink Standard kit (to buy)$349Starlink Standard (Standard 4 X) kitDish + Router 3 (2 Ethernet LAN ports) Bought on starlink.com; rental kits are also offered.

We earn nothing from these examples: no affiliate links at launch. Examples are common models, not a test ranking.

Questions people ask

What is the best backup internet for working from home?

A second line on a different path from your main one, plugged into a router that switches automatically. With good cell signal, that’s usually a cellular router and data plan; with a DSL or fixed-wireless line available, that line. A second connection of the same kind (two satellite dishes) shares the same weak spots.

How fast does automatic failover switch?

The router notices the main line is down after its health check fails, typically within seconds, then moves traffic. Calls and VPN sessions drop and reconnect, because your public address changes. Test it: unplug the main line during a test call and time the freeze.

Can I use Starlink Standby Mode as a backup for calls?

Not for video. Starlink says Standby Mode gives up to 500 Kbps (checked Oct 5, 2026), while Zoom says a 1:1 720p call uses about 1.2 Mbps. It can keep messages and email moving.

Do I need a UPS?

If the power ever blinks, yes: a short cut restarts the dish and router, and coming back takes minutes. Put the main-line gear, the backup device and the router on it; your laptop has its own battery.

Sources

  1. Starlink Specifications (US, published 2026-03-11), checked Oct 5, 2026
  2. Zoom – system requirements (Windows, macOS, Linux) KB0060748, checked Oct 5, 2026
  3. Omada Store – ER605, checked Oct 5, 2026
  4. Omada ER605 product page, checked Oct 5, 2026
  5. Omada Store – ER707-M2, checked Oct 5, 2026
  6. Omada ER707-M2 product page, checked Oct 5, 2026
  7. Ubiquiti Store – Cloud Gateway Ultra, checked Oct 5, 2026
  8. GL.iNet Flint 2 (GL-MT6000), checked Oct 5, 2026
  9. Search snippet: Flint 2 on Amazon/GL.iNet (secondary), read in search results, checked Oct 5, 2026
  10. GL.iNet docs – Multi-WAN, checked Oct 5, 2026
  11. The Telecom Spot – Peplink (B One, BR1 Mini 5G) store search (secondary), checked Oct 5, 2026
  12. Peplink B One product page, read in search results, checked Oct 5, 2026
  13. Verizon – Internet devices (hotspots), checked Oct 5, 2026
  14. Search snippet: T-Mobile hotspot device prices (t-mobile.com), read in search results, checked Oct 5, 2026
  15. GL.iNet Spitz AX (GL-X3000), checked Oct 5, 2026
  16. Search snippet: Spitz AX Amazon US price (secondary), read in search results, checked Oct 5, 2026
  17. Search snippet: CP685AVR(G) prices (Staples, Walmart, MSRP) (secondary), read in search results, checked Oct 5, 2026
  18. CyberPower CP685AVRG product page, checked Oct 5, 2026
  19. Search snippet: BE600M1 prices (AVADirect, SHI) (secondary), read in search results, checked Oct 5, 2026
  20. Schneider/APC BE600M1 product page, checked Oct 5, 2026
  21. Search snippet: CP1500PFCLCD prices (Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart) (secondary), read in search results, checked Oct 5, 2026
  22. CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD product page, checked Oct 5, 2026
  23. Search snippet: BR1500MS2 prices (Walmart, Saitech, APCGuard) (secondary), read in search results, checked Oct 5, 2026
  24. Schneider/APC BR1500MS2 product page, checked Oct 5, 2026
  25. Starlink US marketing availability API: Residential (invitationTypeCode=1, isoCountryCode=US), checked Oct 5, 2026
  26. T-Mobile Home Internet Backup support page (snippet), read in search results, checked Oct 5, 2026
  27. Droid Life: T-Mobile Home Internet Backup gets a major data upgrade (2026-03-30) (secondary), checked Oct 5, 2026
  28. Verizon Wi-Fi Backup, checked Oct 5, 2026
  29. Verizon Business Backup & Flexible Use (snippet), read in search results, checked Oct 5, 2026
  30. AT&T Internet Air, checked Oct 5, 2026
  31. Clark.com AT&T Internet Air pricing (snippet) (secondary), read in search results, checked Oct 5, 2026
  32. AT&T – Get info about data-only plans (updated 2026-03-02), checked Oct 5, 2026
  33. Verizon Prepaid – Hotspot & Router Data Only Plans, checked Oct 5, 2026
  34. T-Mobile hotspot plans page (snippet), read in search results, checked Oct 5, 2026
  35. T-Mobile Prepaid data plans for hotspots (snippet), read in search results, checked Oct 5, 2026
  36. Visible plans, checked Oct 5, 2026
  37. US Mobile plans / blog (snippet), read in search results, checked Oct 5, 2026
  38. Google Fi Help – data-only SIM, checked Oct 5, 2026
  39. Starlink Standby Mode (snippets: starlink.com CIS + secondary news), read in search results, checked Oct 5, 2026
  40. Comcast Storm-Ready WiFi (2023 launch coverage, snippet) (secondary), read in search results, checked Oct 5, 2026
  41. Starlink US marketing availability API: Local Priority fixed site (invitationTypeCode=6), checked Oct 5, 2026

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