Why it matters
For a remote SDR or support agent, ten minutes offline in the middle of a calling block is ten minutes of lost pipeline. Power cuts and internet interruptions happen in Addis Ababa, so the goal isn’t to hope they won’t. It’s to make them a non-event.
Two connections, two providers
Addis Ababa now has two mobile operators, Ethio Telecom and Safaricom Ethiopia, and both offer home or fixed broadband in parts of the city. That makes real redundancy possible:
- Primary: fixed fibre or broadband from one operator.
- Backup: mobile data (a 4G/5G router or phone hotspot) from the other operator.
- Test the backup monthly. A backup that’s never used is usually out of data or out of date.
Regional or wider connectivity disruptions have happened in the past. Keep a written plan for what the team does if both connections are unavailable.
Power backup
- Router and fibre box on a UPS. They use little power; a small UPS or a DC mini-UPS for routers keeps them up for hours.
- Surge protection for the laptop charger. Voltage spikes when power returns kill chargers.
- Know the pattern. If an area has regular outages at set times, schedule breaks and admin work around them.
The laptop itself
A laptop with a healthy battery is its own UPS. Check battery health when you buy and replace batteries that have faded; a laptop that dies thirty minutes into an outage undoes all the other planning. See our recommended specification.
The outage plan
- Switch to the backup connection immediately.
- Post in the agreed team channel so managers and clients aren’t left guessing.
- Log it. Tracking outages by person and area shows who needs better equipment or a different provider.
- If both connections are down, move to a fallback location.
Our managed IT support covers setting this up for every employee and tracking outages in one place.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best internet for remote work in Addis Ababa?
Fixed fibre where it’s available, from Ethio Telecom or Safaricom Ethiopia, backed up by mobile data from the other operator. Two different providers is the key: most outages affect one network, not both.
How long does a router UPS need to last?
Aim for at least two to three hours for the router and fibre box. They draw little power, so a small UPS or a DC mini-UPS designed for routers is enough.
What should employees do during an outage?
Switch to the backup connection, tell their manager in the agreed channel, and log it so outages can be tracked. If both connections fail, have a fallback location such as an office or coworking space.