A USB dongle plugs into one laptop and gives just that device internet over a SIM — the simplest, cheapest backup. A MiFi (or "pocket hotspot") is a small battery-powered device that turns one SIM's data into WiFi for several devices at once, so it's great for backup and travel. A 5G router is a bigger, faster version — more range, more devices and higher speeds, often mains-powered for a home or office. Which is right depends on how many devices you need to cover and how fast.

It comes down to how much downtime you can tolerate. If you can afford a minute to plug in a dongle and reconnect, a manual device is cheap and perfectly fine. But if you run card machines, take client calls, or rely on CCTV and cloud apps, you want an auto-failover router: it constantly watches your main line and switches to a SIM within seconds when it drops — with no one touching anything — then switches back when broadband returns. For business continuity, that automatic switchover is the whole point.

FWA is a fixed connection installed at a location — an antenna or router set up as your primary or backup broadband for that site. Internet backup here is about portable, plug-in devices — dongles, pocket hotspots and failover routers you can buy off the shelf, move around, and use as a second line or on the go. FWA is a service you subscribe to for a place; a backup device is hardware you own and can use anywhere. Many businesses use both — see our Fixed Wireless Access page for the fixed-connection route.

The golden rule is: a different network from your main line, and one with strong signal at your location — a backup on the same network that's having the outage won't help. So if your broadband is with one operator, your standby SIM is usually best on another. We check which of Jio, Airtel and Vi has the most reliable signal at your exact address and match the SIM accordingly, so the backup actually carries you when you need it.

Yes — the device needs a SIM with data. For a rarely-used backup, a low-cost standby or top-up plan is enough, so you're not paying for data you don't use; for a portable router you rely on daily, an unlimited or large monthly plan makes more sense. The key is not to leave the SIM empty, or your backup won't work in the moment you need it. Device prices shown here are illustrative one-time costs and data is separate; this is general guidance, and we confirm current device and data pricing with the provider before you buy.