Managed SD-WAN. Control across every link
A centrally managed, policy-driven overlay that keeps business-critical applications predictable across multiple links, even when one degrades or fails.
Resilience and control, not just bandwidth
FirstNet SD-WAN optimises, secures and governs traffic across multiple connectivity underlays. It is designed for multi-site organisations that need central visibility, policy-driven control and better application performance.
- Dynamic path selection and failover across multiple links
- Load balancing and application-aware traffic steering
- Quality of Service for business-critical applications
- Integrated security policy enforcement
- Centralised visibility and governance across all sites
SD‑WAN & failover: choose your option
Steer traffic across links and keep sites online when a link fails.
Bonded connectivity with Peplink
Combine multiple links into one resilient connection for branches and vehicles.
ExploreWorks across every link type
SD-WAN is an overlay, so it performs best on well-designed links. We provide carrier-agnostic underlays, typically two diverse links per site.
Broadband and DIA
Business fibre or dedicated internet as the primary underlay.
LTE/5G and microwave
Wireless underlays that add path diversity alongside fibre.
LEO satellite
An independent path for remote or highly critical sites.
Hybrid MPLS
Run MPLS and internet links side by side for a phased migration.
The details
Designed, validated, then managed1. Outcomes · 2. Underlay feasibility · 3. Joint validation · 4. Rollout and testing · 5. Managed service
Designed, validated, then managed
Outcomes
We capture your business, resilience and security objectives.
Underlay feasibility
We validate multi-link requirements and link quality at each site.
Joint validation
Our Connectivity and Security teams both validate the architecture and overlay.
Rollout and testing
We provision and test the approved design across the selected underlays.
Managed service
Handover to managed services for in-life support and governance.
Where SD-WAN earns its keepRetail and branch networks where uptime drives revenue · Municipalities needing standardised behaviour…
Where SD‑WAN earns its keep
- Retail and branch networks where uptime drives revenue
- Municipalities needing standardised behaviour across many sites
- Cloud-heavy enterprises that need predictable application performance
- Organisations moving away from MPLS-only networks in phases
Will SD-WAN make our internet faster?
No. SD-WAN controls how traffic uses your links; it can't fix contention or a poor last mile. Its value is predictable, resilient application behaviour across multiple links.
Can SD-WAN run on a single link?
We don't recommend it. SD-WAN needs at least two links per site to deliver failover and path selection. Two diverse underlays, often one fibre and one wireless, is best practice.
Do we have to replace MPLS?
No. Hybrid designs let MPLS and internet links coexist safely, so you can migrate in phases while keeping deterministic support for selected applications.
Who designs the security policy?
Our Security team works alongside the Connectivity team. Both validate the architecture and overlay before anything is quoted or deployed.
Can you supply the underlying links too?
Yes. FirstNet supplies Broadband, DIA, LTE/5G, Microwave and LEO Satellite underlays, so circuits and overlay sit under one accountable SLA.
How long does an SD-WAN rollout take?
There is no single standard lead time for SD-WAN. Timelines depend on underlay availability at each site, site readiness, whether a hybrid MPLS design is needed, and the overall rollout scope. The process runs through capturing your business, resilience and security objectives, validating underlay feasibility, joint design validation by FirstNet's Connectivity and Security teams, rollout and testing, then handover to managed services.
Who manages SD-WAN after it is deployed?
Once the approved SD-WAN design has been rolled out and tested, FirstNet hands it over to its managed services team for in-life support and ongoing service governance. You get centralised visibility across all sites, with routing, quality of service and security policies managed centrally. Changes and escalations run through FirstNet's managed services, Connectivity and Security teams under a single accountable SLA.
Should we choose SD-WAN or Peplink bonding?
It depends on what matters most. Application-aware SD-WAN steers each traffic flow across your links using policy, which suits multi-site organisations wanting central control, QoS and security policy. Peplink SpeedFusion bonds links at packet level, so a single live call or RDP session can survive a link cut without dropping, and its rugged hardware suits vehicles, mining and broadcast. Both need at least two links per site, and FirstNet can supply the underlays for either.
From the Knowledge Hub
Where connectivity fits
- Sovereign AI AI that stays home, in every layer.
- Voice Every call, clear.
- Security Threats, contained.
- Cloud Data, protected.
- Connectivity Always connected.
Enriched by Sovereign AI: reach the AI Factory over FirstNet’s own network, with a direct, low-latency path that stays on South African soil. Explore the AI Factory