Systems and methods for backup communications

A system comprising:

• surface equipment positioned at the surface of a well;
• a prewired power and communication backbone installed in a well bore coupled to the surface equipment,
• wherein the prewired backbone includes one or more conductors and one or more nodes coupled to the conductors, wherein the nodes are positioned at different locations along the length of the prewired backbone,
• wherein each of the nodes provides one or more interfaces for connection of downhole devices to the prewired backbone, wherein the devices are adapted to communicate with the surface equipment via the prewired backbone, wherein the nodes are adapted to enable the devices to be connected, disconnected or replaced downhole after the prewired backbone has been installed in the well bore without having to remove the prewired backbone from the well bore, and
• wherein the prewired backbone has failed at one or more points;
• and
• one or more wireless-enabled modules connected to corresponding nodes of the prewired backbone wherein the wireless-enabled modules are adapted to communicate with the surface equipment via one or more wireless channels that bridge a failed portion of the prewired backbone.