4/5G backup for small office

[Brother D]

Hi All,

Has anyone any experience of using 5G modem for backup in small office? We look to have a small delay between moving internet providers and need something in the short term and wondering if there are any major caveats ?

TIA

[megaphone]

Difficult to get a fixed/static IP if you need one. Three do unlimited data and will provide a router, I'm paying £15/m (4G) but it's more expensive for new subs. That's on a 24m contract, they do rolling for more money.

They do a 30 day trial, so maybe that will be enough? Just send the router back and cancel. (bit unethical)

Obviously you need to have a good 4/5G signal available, so check which networks are best in the office.

https://www.three.co.uk/broadband

Edited by megaphone on Wednesday 23 August 17:41

[Brother D]

megaphone said:

Difficult to get a fixed/static IP if you need one. Three do unlimited data and will provide a router, I'm paying £15/m (4G) but it's more expensive for new subs. That's on a 24m contract, they do rolling for more money.

They do a 30 day trial, so maybe that will be enough? Just send the router back and cancel. (bit unethical)

Obviously you need to have a good 4/5G signal available, so check which networks are best in the office.

https://www.three.co.uk/broadband

Edited by megaphone on Wednesday 23 August 17:41

Thanks for that - it's central London so should be good for 4/5G. No need for static IP as we have on site techie. Will look into that as plan is to have two leased lines and if can use cell for back up at that price would be a decent monthly saving in just having one with 4/5G backup. Did you use their hub or your own router with 3 sim card?

[Alex Z]

With two leased lines do you really need a third path?

[beko1987]

I have almost 50 devices on my B535 and get 30mb down/14up and it's been fine for me at home doing house stuff for a few years.

For doing office and normal things you wont notice, just plug a switch into it and DHCP away. I'm only considering upgrading to wired fibre now the kids game more and I upload to youtube alot and that can be a bit slow. Not taken the plunge yet though...

[Brother D]

Alex Z said:

With two leased lines do you really need a third path?

I need a temporary solution until they arrive... Will be good to evaluate it as a longer term backup solution to replace one of the leased lines, as typically the faults are fixed within 24hrs

Edited by Brother D on Thursday 24th August 13:56

[megaphone]

Brother D said:

megaphone said:

Difficult to get a fixed/static IP if you need one. Three do unlimited data and will provide a router, I'm paying £15/m (4G) but it's more expensive for new subs. That's on a 24m contract, they do rolling for more money.

They do a 30 day trial, so maybe that will be enough? Just send the router back and cancel. (bit unethical)

Obviously you need to have a good 4/5G signal available, so check which networks are best in the office.

https://www.three.co.uk/broadband

Edited by megaphone on Wednesday 23 August 17:41

Thanks for that - it's central London so should be good for 4/5G. No need for static IP as we have on site techie. Will look into that as plan is to have two leased lines and if can use cell for back up at that price would be a decent monthly saving in just having one with 4/5G backup. Did you use their hub or your own router with 3 sim card?

I'd still check the service in your office, has anyone got a '3' phone? Do a speed test.

I've used the provided 3 hub/router, it's a Huawei, it's fine and fast if you have a good signal, only downside is it cannot do 'Modem Mode' or Bridge Mode, so not a good option to plug into your own router. I use it out and about for work when testing systems.

I've also used the sim in other routers and it's fine, so an unlocked Huawei router or similar should be able to do modem mode. Note, it's just a standard sim so also has a phone number and texts etc.

[somouk]

I use an NR5103E as a 5G backup that I had off eBay.

Works really well even for 4G as it has multiple aerials for multiple bands so double what the old Huawei was getting.

[Brother D]

somouk said:

I use an NR5103E as a 5G backup that I had off eBay.

Works really well even for 4G as it has multiple aerials for multiple bands so double what the old Huawei was getting.

Thanks that looks promising -