2024/2025 Service Definition

Back-up Broadband Connection

About the Service

Whilst failure of your primary broadband connection is rare, the disruption to your school of having lost its internet connection can be significant, as many of the services schools use on a daily basis are now online solutions or delivered from the cloud. We also understand the vital role of broadband in the daily operations of your school, which is why we include a free emergency 4G backup service included as part of your Broadband and Online Service Bundle. Please refer to the Broadband and Online Services Bundle Service Definition for more information.

We understand that you may desire additional peace of mind by having a permanent Back-Up Broadband Connectivity solution in place. Our Back-up Broadband additional add-on service is suitable for any school, or multi-academy trust, and provides a solution that is managed, monitored, and always ready to deliver continued access in the event of a primary broadband connection failure. It not only ensures peace of mind but also guarantees high availability of internet access and online resources, preventing disruptions in the event of a primary broadband connection failure at your school.

This service works alongside your primary connection that is provided as part of our Broadband and Online Services Bundle Service.

What are the benefits?

  • Fully managed - back-up broadband service including all configuration and security, and options to ensure that you are able to meet broadband internet standards set by the DfE.
  • Highly Available - Reduction in downtime, should the school's main broadband connection fail, ensuring disruption to teaching and learning is kept to a minimum.
  • Cloud Availability – Increased availability to critical cloud-based systems that use the internet E.g., Microsoft 365, digital telephony.
  • Customisable - Options to add increasing levels of resilience and reductions to potential single point of failure, subject to budget availability.
  • Highly resilient – Connects to our CLEO Broadband network that has multiple data centres and connections to both the JANET network, and key internet service provider exchange locations.
  • Back-up broadband works with School WAN – If your school is part of a group of schools or a multi-academy trust that has School WAN configured as part of your Broadband and Online Services Bundle, you'll be pleased to know that the back-up broadband connectivity is still fully supported!

What's Included?

Service Features

Feature

Description

Options

Back-up Broadband
Connectivity
  • Additional broadband connection for your school.
  • Connects to our CLEO Broadband Network and provides the same Web Filtering controls as the school's primary connection.
  • No changes within the school's local network to support the service.
  • Reduces the risk of total internet failure.
  • Reduces the risk to your school's critical systems that use the internet.

Depending on your school's requirement, we will identify the options available for connectivity and recommend a solution.

Back-up Router Option
  • A second router to act as a failover to the primary.
  • A second router is recommended to remove the router as a single point of failure.
  • Can be installed within the existing comms cabinet (space permitting) or an alternative cabinet on-site.
  • Can be installed at another site or building along with the back-up connection for enhanced resilience.

Site Survey
  • Our desk-based surveys are free of charge.
  • An on-site survey may also be required to establish exact routings and confirm whether any Third-Party excess construction charges would apply in addition to our standard installation charges. This would be established when we receive your order. (On-site surveys are chargeable.)

Installation and Setup
  • Education Digital Services will appoint a project manager to ensure the installation of your backup connection is correctly delivered.
  • Installation is subject to lead times and installation charges.