Keep your modem and router running on battery, use a phone hotspot as backup, and know why fibre and cable behave differently in an outage.
- Modem and router need little power and run for hours on a small battery.
- A phone hotspot is your second layer when the provider network fails.
- Fibre, cable and DSL fail differently, so ask your provider about backup.
When the power goes out, the internet is one of the first things people try to save. You may need it for news, work, school or to reach family. The good news is that internet equipment uses very little power, so a small battery can keep it going for a long time. The catch is that your equipment is only half of the picture. The provider's network has to stay up too.
Here is how to build layers so you stay connected as long as possible.
Layer one: power the modem and router
Your modem and router together usually draw a small amount of power. Put them on a battery source and they can run for many hours.
- UPS: a small uninterruptible power supply is a simple fit. It switches over instantly, and a light load like this lasts a good while. See UPS vs power station for a home office.
- Power station: plug in the modem and router. Estimate runtime with watts. See how long a power station will run a TV and WiFi router.
- Power bank with a matching DC output: some routers run from a suitable DC supply, but you must match voltage and connector exactly. Check the label.
Layer two: a cellular hotspot
If the local network or your provider's line goes down, your phone may still work on the cellular network.
- Check that your phone plan includes hotspot or tethering and know how to turn it on.
- Test it before an outage and note the data allowance.
- Keep your phone charged. See how to keep phones charged.
- Keep a power bank for the phone, since hotspot use drains a battery quickly.
Tower battery backup is limited, and networks can get congested when many people use them. Expect slower service and drop-offs in big outages.
Fibre versus cable versus DSL
How your home connects to the world changes what happens in an outage.
- Fibre: the line itself carries light, not electricity. At your home, a small box (often called an ONT) converts the signal and needs power. Some providers supply a battery backup for that box. Without power at the box, there is no service, so powering it matters most.
- Cable: the neighbourhood equipment needs power. In a wide outage, local amplifiers may run on short battery backup and then fail. Your own modem needs power too.
- DSL over phone lines: the line may carry some power, but your modem still needs power, and provider equipment may fail.
Ask your provider what happens to its network in an outage, and whether a backup battery is available for your equipment.
Save data and battery
- Turn on data saver mode on your phone.
- Download maps, documents and key information ahead of time for offline use.
- Close unused apps and lower screen brightness.
- Use text and low-bandwidth tools for messages rather than video calls.
- Switch to airplane mode when you do not need a connection.
Do not rely on the internet alone
Have a plan for when nothing works. Keep a battery or hand-crank radio for news, and write down key phone numbers on paper. Agree on a family meeting plan. See best emergency radios and family emergency communication plan.
Report the outage
Use your phone to report the outage and check the status page of your utility. See alerts and outage reporting. For gear to power your setup, visit our power station hub.
A short checklist
- Find where your modem and router are and put them on a shared power strip.
- Decide on your battery source and label the cable to plug in.
- Test your phone hotspot once this month.
- Download offline maps and key documents.
- Keep a radio and spare batteries with the kit.
A ten minute check now beats a stressful scramble in the dark.
Quick answers
Will my WiFi work if my router has battery power?
Only if your provider's network is also up. Wide outages can take down local equipment.
How do I make my phone last longer as a hotspot?
Keep it plugged into a power bank, lower the screen brightness, and limit what connects to it.
Is fibre better in an outage?
Fibre does not carry electricity, so the box at your home needs its own power. With power at that box, it can keep working if the network is up.