We have several remote offices that are totally dependent on their local Internet connection for the VPN connection back to us for corporate e-mail and VoIP services. I have been asked to look into a backup Internet connection. Any suggestions on what type of connections would be the best to use?
-- Via the Internet

Having a backup Internet connection is always a good thing. Since you are also running VoIP back to the main corporate office, this becomes even more important. Having a backup Internet connection from your current provider shouldn't be that expensive as they can keep it turned down until you advise or they detect a problem with your primary connection. The downside here is that the local loop is always going to be a weak point that you may not be able to have a backup for. In some of your locations you may be able to get a local loop installed that comes from a different central office than your current connection does but it is still possible that some part of the copper connection coming to the local building will travel the same path as your current setup does.

Before deciding on the best type of Internet connection, you will want to sit down and decide what are the essential services that the backup connection will need to carry. Think about running at a reduced level in terms of the number of VoIP connections and how many folks can be downloading e-mail at any one time. This can help with deciding on how slow or fast of a connection that you can consider using for a backup Internet connection. You will also need to look at what amount of latency you can tolerate.

You can look at DSL, cable Internet and wireless offerings depending on what services are available in a particular area. Sprint now offers wireless broadband cards that run on top of its 3G network - imagine those cards being able to be installed in a wireless access router. This means that you could connect this into the existing network at the remote office when needed. This could also be moved if your office was uninhabitable for some reason and still get you up and running.

While it would be ideal that one solution would work in all offices, you may find that you have to use at least two solutions, hopefully no more than three. When you start putting the backup solution in place, keep thing written down how each remote site implements the backup connection so that if and when the time comes, you can get them back up and running as quickly as possible until normal service is restored.