When a failed connection is detected from a first radio unit (RU) to the cellular site router (CSR), activation of an existing backup cabled connection from the first RU to the CSR through a cabled connection between the first RU and a second RU of the cellular telecommunications tower may be performed. In one example, a first RU and second RU each have two physical network ports. The activation of the existing backup cabled connection from the first RU, via the second RU, to the CSR may include causing the first RU to enter from a normal operating mode into an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) cascade operating mode to attempt to attain network connectivity for the first RU using the second physical network port of the first RU.