A practical guide to cellular backup solutions for fixed healthcare sites

In today's interconnected healthcare sector, a reliable and uninterrupted internet connection is crucial for the efficient functioning of healthcare IT systems. However, unforeseen circumstances can disrupt the main broadband connection, jeopardising critical operations and patient care. To ensure seamless connectivity and maintain uninterrupted services, health Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and network managers can leverage cellular (mobile) technology as a backup solution.

We have provided guidance on how and where it may be appropriate to harness the potential of cellular technology to serve as a reliable backup for main broadband lines, ensuring continuity and resilience in healthcare IT infrastructure.

The content of this guidance is 'supplier agnostic' which means we do not endorse any specific companies, innovations, or approaches. Any mention of, or link to, a specific supplier or product is not an endorsement from the Connectivity Hub or NHS England and is for illustrative purposes only.

This guidance is primarily aimed at relatively small, fixed healthcare sites, such as GP surgeries or care homes, as we examine single or dual-SIM solutions, which are limited by the bandwidth capabilities of cellular networks. However, the same principles can apply to a range of other use cases, such as temporary pop-up sites, vaccination centres or even larger sites with low bandwidth demands. As site size increases though, so will the complexity of the LAN architecture and connectivity solutions and backup strategies may require more specific and sophisticated guidance.

We will not be reviewing industrial type solutions, such as temporary cell sites, as these are used more as temporary primary connectivity solutions.

Whether used as a secondary backup or as a tertiary backup to a secondary fixed line, there are a number of reasons that cellular technology is well suited to provide continuous connectivity:

Diversity

By having a connectivity backup option that is independent of fixed-line infrastructure, connectivity can be maintained even during large-scale or severe fixed line outages, that may affect primary and even diverse secondary fixed-lines (particularly if cellular solutions have their own local power supply).

Flexibility

Cellular backup solutions can be easily relocated or set up in temporary facilities during failures in the primary fixed-line or in remote areas where fixed-line infrastructure may not be reliable.

Rapid deployment

Cellular backup solutions are quick to deploy compared to establishing or repairing fixed-line infrastructure. In emergency situations or when time is of the essence, healthcare sites can swiftly set up cellular connectivity to ensure uninterrupted communication and data access.

Cost effectiveness

In some cases, cellular backup solutions may be more cost-effective than investing in redundant fixed-line connections. They can also eliminate the need for more permanent infrastructure investment.

Scalability

Cellular backup solutions do offer scalability to some extent, allowing healthcare sites to easily add connectivity bandwidth based on demand, limited by what increased capacity can be met by the local cellular network.