Integra Telecom, in partnership with Verizon Wireless, has announced a new VPN backup service for its enterprise and SMB customers in the U.S. If a fixed line connection fails, data signals will automatically switch over to wireless VPN transmission, ensuring that connectivity will not be lost. In addition, Integra’s wireless backup from Verizon accommodates encrypted data and provides increased protection against malware. It also allows customers to prioritize elements of their traffic so that critical functions can stay online during a service outage.

Tarifica’s Take

While Integra is by no means the first to offer a wireless backup, its announcement underscores the point that in today’s world there is, in fact, much less of a demarcation between fixed line and mobile services than many people believe. Contrary to perception, these are not two separate ecosystems but mutually dependent parts of a whole. To keep data flowing worldwide, mobile operators need fixed line capabilities, and vice versa. With customers increasingly demanding one-stop solutions that include mobile and fixed line services, success often depends on being able to provide both. Operators should keep this in mind as they set about to develop new offerings.