What Is LTE Failover and When Should You Use It?

Introduction: The Role of LTE in Keeping Business Online

When your internet goes down, your business doesn’t have time to wait.

Today’s businesses depend on always-on connectivity—for point-of-sale systems, cloud-based apps, inventory tools, scheduling software, and communication platforms. For locations where wired redundancy isn’t an option—or when you simply want an extra layer of insurance—LTE failover offers a reliable, fast-acting backup.

But what exactly is LTE failover? And when should a business rely on it?

Defining LTE Failover

LTE failover refers to the use of a 4G LTE cellular connection as a backup internet connection. When the primary wired connection (like fiber, cable, or DSL) fails, your router or edge device automatically switches to the LTE connection—often without your staff or systems noticing.

Think of LTE failover as a mobile safety net. Instead of rerouting traffic through a second wired line—which may not always be available or cost-effective—LTE uses a wireless signal from a local cellular tower to maintain connectivity.

It’s ideal for:

• Locations without dual-wired ISP options
  
  
• Remote branches or retail stores
  
  
• Temporary setups like pop-up shops or field offices
  
  
• Disaster recovery planning
  
  

Why Businesses Choose LTE Over Second ISPs

Wired failover can be effective—but it often requires expensive second-line installations, long lead times, or geographic feasibility that isn’t realistic. LTE, on the other hand, is:

• Quick to deploy (often plug-and-play)
  
  
• Geographically flexible (works anywhere with mobile signal)
  
  
• Cost-effective compared to installing a second broadband line
  
  
• Powered independently, so it can also serve as a connectivity layer during power outages when combined with battery backups
  
  

Speed and Reliability: Is LTE “Good Enough”?

For many applications, yes.

Modern LTE networks are fast enough to support most business functions: processing credit card payments, accessing cloud-based dashboards, or running VoIP calls. While LTE isn’t ideal for transferring large files or hosting servers, it excels at keeping your business online when it matters most.

And with newer LTE routers or gateways using technologies like carrier aggregation, eSIM/vSIM, and real-time monitoring, performance is more stable than ever.

When to Use LTE Failover (And When Not To)

Use LTE Failover if:

• You have no wired backup available
  
  
• You’re operating in a pop-up, kiosk, or temporary environment
  
  
• You need geographic flexibility (e.g., mobile workforces, fleet operations)
  
  
• Your business depends on cloud access or POS at all times
  
  
• Security and remote access can’t depend on public Wi-Fi or guest networks
  
  

Avoid LTE Failover if:

• Your location lacks strong LTE coverage
  
  
• You consistently move large data files (e.g., media production)
  
  
• You’re operating latency-sensitive platforms that can’t tolerate jitter
  
  

In those cases, multi-WAN or SD-WAN configurations using two wired ISPs may be more suitable.

Big Network’s LTE-Ready Approach

Big Network delivers LTE failover as part of its edge architecture.

With support for dual LTE modems, vSIM technology, and static IP continuity across failover paths, our solutions make it easy to add wireless backup without compromising on reliability or security.

Features include:

• Pre-configured LTE-ready Internet Reliability Gateway (IRG)  devices
  
  
• Dynamic multi-path failover
  
  
• Compatibility with (nearly) any carrier or SIM configuration
  
  
• Seamless cloud-managed provisioning via the Big Network Portal

‍