Lifeline backup system and method for telephone networks

摘要

A secondary cellular backup device provides a secondary communication path to a cellular network for customer premise equipment (CPE) in case a primary broadband communication path is disrupted. A secondary device consistent with the invention may be connected directly to an existing household communication network such as telephone wiring or a cellular network to share the existing network with CPE. As such, the secondary device may be connected in parallel with other devices sharing a telephone wiring communication network. A method of connecting a secondary backup device for providing lifeline backup services and a method for switching between a primary broadband communication path and a secondary communication path is also provided.