LTE as an alternative to cable internet service
LTE as an alternative to cable internet service
Hi everyone, I’m facing some internet issues with my broadband connection. It’s been inconsistent lately—sometimes it works perfectly, other times it drops several times a day. I also have an LTE router connected via SIM card, using a data plan from my mobile provider. The LTE unit is wireless and has Ethernet ports, so it could potentially replace my cable router. This would let me connect my desktop through Ethernet and use Wi-Fi for other devices. I’m curious if it’s feasible to configure the setup so that the cable router becomes the main connection while the LTE router acts as a backup when the cable service fails. Ideally, the system should automatically switch from cable to LTE in case of outages. I’ve seen a solution called SimplyFailover online, but it isn’t available in my country and might be expensive. Another option would be a manual switch that lets me easily choose between the two connections without having to disconnect and reconnect cables. It sounds straightforward, but I’m not sure what hardware or steps are needed to set this up properly. Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated!
The optimal approach is to connect both links to a central router and configure routing there using administrative distances to prioritize specific routes. This method is commonly used for hotel networks supporting VOIP services, where we manage two providers—fiber and LTE—and direct them through a PF Sense server or similar device. Routes are set to favor the fiber connection unless it becomes unavailable.
The Synology RT2600AC enables connecting two modems to it. This setup works with a cable modem and a 4G modem using Ethernet. You can also attach a USB LTE dongle to the router, though I’m not certain it supports dual connections in that configuration.
Donut417, I checked the details and it seems you'll need a dual WAN router with two RJ-45 ports. Set the cable router as the main WAN and the LTE router as the backup. Configure the dual router for failover so the LTE takes over if the cable connection fails. It’s pretty straightforward. The only downside is these routers aren’t the most affordable option.
An affordable option is a manual network switch, similar to the one shown here: https://www.delock.de/produkte/G_87673/m...anguage=en
I mentioned the router I recommended has that feature. I believe its sibling also possesses it. When I purchased this router, I was more focused on the immediate benefits. Synology offers a more affordable alternative too. It supports dual WAN, but you need to sacrifice a LAN port to achieve that.
Another choice is an Ubiquiti edge router, which reportedly supports dual WAN connections. They offer load balancing and failover features. The main drawback is that they’re purely wired; you’d need an AP or another router acting as an AP to provide wireless access.