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We have
two broadband lines with different suppliers to help stop this happening. I suppose that if the problem is at the exchange even this wont get round the problem.
2 lines
If B/band is that essential for working (we use Hosted desktops now, so it is for us) then 2 lines may well be the way to go. We have BT on their lines and Virgin through their cable, so in theory if one goes down the other should still be running.
Mifi
Get a mobile broadband router that you can top up whenever you need it. Serves 2 purposes - you can use it when on the move and also as a back-up when your main broadband goes down.
Should be ok to tether your PC to your iphone's connection either via bluetooth or the USB cable. If on a provider like EE you can top up your bandwidth allowance with a one-off package for a few pounds to see you through the next few days with 4G you should have a decent connection speed and you can buy extra bandwidth in up to 10Gb chunks.
Alternatively find a friendly neighbour, explain the situation and ask if you can share their wireless connection until you're back up and running.
Take full advantage...
Go into the garden. Put your feet up. Open a beer, or a bottle of wine, or pour yourself a Pimms. If you have school-aged kids they'll be off school now, so do something fun with them. Read a book, sunbathe, enjoy life. Leave an answer phone message for your clients and turn off your phone.
All of the above
I have supa-dupa Broadband (Virgin) but refuse to transact with BT (history). I've been let down far more since going supa-dupa and so have Mifi, smart phone hotspot (different provider) and the lovely Cafe Nero within 5 mins walk, in fact one of my clients ran his business for nearly two years with a laptop & cafe Nero.
The good thing these days is that, for the majority of the time, with hosted or in Cloud software, you don't need a fast connection, you just need a reliable one and 3G is perfectly adequate as a fill in.
PS: Sometimes the garden and a beer is the first solution rather than the last.