A broadband access connection carried over a wireline link is backed-up by a wireless connection to create a high availability communication channel. This protection system comprises a wireline link processor for connecting a user site to a provider network over a broadband access connection and a wireless link processor for connecting the user site and the provider network over a backup connection. A link monitoring mechanism supervises operation of the wireline link and generates a fault signal upon detection of a specified under-performance, failure, or overloading condition of the broadband wireline access connection. A data switching mechanism switches the user traffic received over the user interface between the wireline and the wireless link according to the fault signal. A method for protecting the wireline link is also provided.