Amazon’s New eero Signal Keeps You Connected To The Internet When Outages Occur

eero Signal: Your Internet's Instant Backup Lifeline

What happens when your home internet cuts out during an important video call or while your security cameras are monitoring your property? Amazon's new eero Signal provides an automatic cellular safety net, switching to 4G LTE within seconds of detecting an outage. Priced at $99.99, this compact backup device plugs directly into compatible eero routers and requires an eero Plus subscription starting at $99.99 annually for 10GB of backup data. Designed for remote workers, smart home owners, and households in storm-prone areas, eero Signal eliminates the anxiety of unexpected disconnections without demanding constant cellular data usage.

Credit: eero

How eero Signal Works Behind the Scenes

The eero Signal operates on a simple but sophisticated principle: silent standby readiness. When plugged into any USB-C powered eero device supporting Wi-Fi 6 or newer standards, the unit continuously monitors your primary internet connection without actively transmitting data. The moment your broadband service fails—whether from a fiber cut, power fluctuation, or ISP maintenance—the device detects the disruption and seamlessly activates its embedded multi-carrier eSIM. Within 30 to 60 seconds, your entire home network shifts to cellular connectivity without requiring manual intervention or device reconfiguration. Once your primary connection stabilizes, eero Signal automatically returns to standby mode, conserving your allocated backup data for genuine emergencies rather than routine browsing.

Setup Takes Minutes, Not Hours

Unlike traditional cellular hotspots requiring separate power adapters and complex network configurations, eero Signal integrates directly into your existing mesh system. Users simply plug the device into an available USB-C port on a compatible eero router—no additional cables, wall outlets, or app toggles needed. The eero mobile application guides you through a two-minute activation process where you select your preferred subscription tier and confirm carrier compatibility. Because the device draws power from your router's existing supply, it remains operational during brief power interruptions if your router connects to an uninterruptible power source. This plug-and-play approach removes the technical barriers that previously made cellular backup impractical for mainstream households.

Understanding the Subscription Tiers

eero Signal requires an active eero Plus subscription to access cellular networks, with two annual plans available at launch. The standard $99.99 eero Plus plan includes 10GB of backup data—sufficient for approximately 40 hours of remote work video calls or keeping essential smart home devices online during a multi-day outage. For larger households or security-conscious users running multiple always-on cameras, the $199.99 eero Plus 100 plan provides 100GB of monthly rollover data. Both plans include the full suite of eero Plus features: advanced threat protection, family content filtering, and a complimentary 1Password family membership. New customers purchasing the hardware receive discounted first-year pricing, effectively halving the subscription cost during the initial term.

Real-World Scenarios Where Backup Connectivity Matters

The value of eero Signal becomes clearest during unpredictable disruptions. Remote professionals avoid missed deadlines when neighborhood construction accidentally severs fiber lines. Families relying on medical alert systems maintain connectivity during severe weather events that knock out regional infrastructure. Home security systems continue streaming footage to the cloud even when burglars cut external cables—a documented tactic in sophisticated break-ins. For households in rural or coastal regions prone to seasonal outages, the device provides peace of mind without the expense of maintaining a secondary wired connection. Crucially, because cellular data activates only during actual outages rather than continuous background use, most users exhaust far less than their allocated monthly data.

Technical Specifications and Carrier Intelligence

Beneath its minimalist exterior, eero Signal incorporates carrier-agnostic technology designed for reliability over raw speed. The 4G LTE model supports Category 4 connectivity with theoretical download speeds between 14–48 Mbps—adequate for video conferencing, security camera uploads, and essential browsing during emergencies. Its embedded eSIM stores profiles from multiple major U.S. carriers including AT&T and Verizon, automatically selecting the strongest available signal at any given moment rather than locking to a single provider. This multi-carrier approach proves critical during regional disasters when one network's towers may be overloaded while competitors maintain capacity. The device's compact form factor—smaller than a deck of cards—ensures it doesn't obstruct adjacent ports on wall-mounted or shelf-placed routers.

The 5G Evolution Arrives Later This Year

Amazon plans to expand the eero Signal lineup in late 2026 with a $199.99 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability) model offering faster throughput and lower latency during failover events. While the initial 4G LTE version prioritizes broad compatibility and cost efficiency, the 5G variant will better support bandwidth-intensive applications like 4K security camera feeds or simultaneous multi-user video calls during extended outages. The company also confirmed upcoming integration with eero Business plans, bringing automatic cellular failover to small offices and retail locations previously forced to invest in enterprise-grade solutions costing thousands of dollars. This progression signals Amazon's commitment to making network resilience accessible beyond premium residential segments.

Who Should Prioritize This Investment

eero Signal makes the most sense for three distinct user groups. First, remote workers whose income depends on uninterrupted connectivity will benefit from automatic failover during critical meetings. Second, smart home enthusiasts with security cameras, doorbell systems, or medical monitoring devices gain assurance that cloud connections persist during infrastructure failures. Third, residents in regions with unreliable utilities—whether due to aging infrastructure, extreme weather patterns, or geographical isolation—receive an affordable insurance policy against digital isolation. For households already subscribing to eero Plus for its security features, adding cellular backup represents a logical extension of their existing investment rather than a standalone expense.

Network Resilience as Standard

eero Signal reflects a broader industry shift toward embedding redundancy directly into consumer networking hardware. Where cellular backup once required technical expertise and enterprise budgets, integrated solutions now democratize what was previously a luxury feature. This approach aligns with evolving expectations for always-on connectivity in an era where work, healthcare, education, and security increasingly depend on uninterrupted internet access. By designing failover functionality that operates invisibly until needed—then recedes just as quietly when primary service returns—Amazon addresses a genuine pain point without complicating the user experience. For under $100 plus an annual subscription, households gain a silent guardian that activates only when necessary, transforming internet outages from crises into minor inconveniences.