Patent ID: 6934762

Claim:
A system for providing backup Internet access, the system comprising: a local network server; a primary router connected to the local network server, the primary router for directing data to/from a primary internet backbone; a primary local communications circuit connected to the primary router, the primary local communications circuit employing a primary transmission medium; a primary point of presence connected to the primary local communications circuit, the primary point of presence for providing internet access via the primary internet backbone; a secondary router connected to the local network server, the secondary router for directing data to/from a secondary internet backbone; a secondary local communications circuit connected to the secondary router, the secondary local communications circuit employing a secondary transmission medium of a different type than the primary transmission medium; a secondary point of presence connected to the secondary local communications circuit, the secondary point of presence for providing internet access via the secondary internet backbone; and control logic operative to detect a failure to provide internet access via the primary router and automatically direct communication to the secondary router; thereby providing backup internet access.