Can You Have Two Internet Providers In One House?

Last Updated on August 7, 2023 By Emma W. Thomas

Yes, it is possible to have two internet service providers (ISPs) in one house. This setup, known as dual ISP or multi-WAN, can offer redundancy and improved network performance by using multiple internet connections simultaneously.

How to Have Two Internet Providers In One House

Setting up two internet providers in one house requires careful planning and the right equipment. Here’s a detailed guide in points on how to achieve this:

1. Check ISP Availability: Verify if multiple ISPs are available in your area and compare their service coverage, plans, and pricing.
2. Identify Your Requirements: Determine why you want two ISPs. Is it for redundancy, load balancing, or to meet specific bandwidth needs? This will influence the type of setup you choose.
3. Choose Compatible Equipment:
   • Dual-WAN Router: Invest in a quality dual-WAN router that supports multiple internet connections. Look for models with load balancing and failover capabilities.
   • Load Balancer: Alternatively, you can use a load balancer to distribute internet traffic across the two connections efficiently.
4. Plan Network Layout:
   • Decide which devices or activities will use each ISP. For example, you can assign critical devices like work computers to one ISP and entertainment devices to the other.
5. Contact ISPs and Setup Accounts:
   • Subscribe to the two chosen ISPs and obtain the necessary login credentials and connection details.
6. Connect and Configure Routers:
   • Connect each ISP’s modem to the WAN ports of the dual-WAN router or load balancer.
   • Access the router’s web interface and configure WAN settings for both connections, including IP address, DNS, and login credentials provided by each ISP.
7. Load Balancing Configuration:
   • If your router supports load balancing, configure the desired load balancing rules. You can set it to distribute traffic evenly between both connections or customize it based on specific applications or devices.
8. Failover Configuration:
   • Configure failover settings to ensure that if one ISP goes down, the other connection automatically takes over to maintain internet access.
9. Testing and Optimization:
   • Test the setup thoroughly to ensure both connections are working as expected.
   • Monitor network performance and adjust load balancing rules if necessary.

Advantages of Having Two Different Internet Providers in One Home

Having two different internet providers in one home offers several advantages, making it an appealing choice for some households. Here are the key benefits:

1. Redundancy and Reliability: The most significant advantage is increased internet reliability. If one ISP experiences an outage or technical issues, the other connection serves as a backup, ensuring uninterrupted internet access.
2. Load Balancing: Dual ISPs allow for load balancing, distributing internet traffic across both connections. This prevents congestion and can lead to better performance, especially when multiple devices are in use simultaneously.
3. Faster Speeds and Bandwidth: With two separate connections, you potentially double your internet speed and bandwidth. This is beneficial for heavy internet users, gamers, or households with multiple devices requiring high-speed internet.
4. Business Continuity: For home-based businesses, having two ISPs is crucial for maintaining connectivity during critical work tasks. It reduces the risk of losing internet access and ensures business operations continue smoothly.
5. Flexibility in Internet Usage: Different ISPs may offer varying data caps, unlimited plans, or specific services. Having two providers allows you to choose the most suitable plans for different purposes, optimizing cost and performance.
6. Diverse Network Paths: Each ISP uses a different network infrastructure and routing paths. This diversity can enhance stability and reduce latency during peak usage times or network congestion.
7. Coverage in Remote Areas: In rural or remote locations where one ISP may have limited coverage, having two providers increases the chances of obtaining internet access.
8. Competitive Pricing: Having multiple ISPs can lead to competitive pricing and promotions as they vie for customers in your area, potentially offering better deals or incentives.
9. Reduced Buffering and Lag: For streaming services and online gaming, load balancing can minimize buffering and lag issues by utilizing both connections for data transmission.
10. Fault Isolation: In the event of one ISP having technical issues, isolating the fault to a specific provider becomes easier, simplifying troubleshooting and resolution.

Types Of Internet Connections

In the internet access market, you will come across terms such as broadband or high-speed. The two words describe any internet connection that will provide you with bandwidth speed. This speed is usually higher than the ordinary dial-up option. Nowadays, almost all available connections are faster than dial-up. You will also hear of wideband, which refers to internet access with a speed of over 50 Mbps.

There are three types of internet access, namely; DSL, fiber, and cable. DSL is the cheapest, while fiber is the most expensive since its speed is higher. 

Comparing Fiber, DSL, And Cable Connections

Most internet service is transmitted using cables, fiber, or DSL. Here’s a comparison:

Fiber Connections	DSL	Cable
Faster download and upload speeds – about 250-1000 Mbps	Lower download speeds – about 25-500 MbpsLower upload speeds 5-30 Mbps	Lower download speeds same as DSLUpload speeds same as DSL
Made of plastic and designed for internet service. Use optic lines made of tiny fibers of glass.	Uses telephone lines	Sent over copper TV lines
Best for heavy internet users ( for gaming and multiple video streaming)	Best for rural users that are stuck with satellite internet	Best for those who can’t access fiber. Great for TV-viewers

How To Choose An Internet Service Provider

Access to the internet is crucial to both businesses and homes, and you need not gamble with choosing a service provider. Most business operations rely on the internet these days, whether in processing credit cards or communicating with clients. The majority of homes are also finding more uses with the internet.

Below are factors you need to consider when choosing internet service providers:

Internet Speed

Internet speed is vital in handling daily tasks whether in business or at home. A service provider ought to offer the best speed so as not to interrupt your operations. You could be streaming videos at home or performing office functions, and this has to be smooth and fast. Depending on the location and what is available, you need to consider bandwidth. Bandwidth refers to the amount of information that a transmission media can handle at a time. 

Over fiber, connections provide above 1000 megabits in one second. If you reside in rural areas, then you need to settle for DSL connections with 6Mbps. Seek for references and reviews from other users since sometimes what is advertised is not what you get.

Availability Of The Service Provider

It may sometimes be challenging to get a good connection in rural areas, even with a high-speed cable or fiber connection. Look for the available option in your area at a particular time. You will most likely get a 4G-LTE, satellite-based facility, or a broadband connection.

How Reliable Is The ISP

Reliability is an essential factor, especially when you are dealing with business clients. Look for an internet supply that is fast in getting things done. If your industry does not rely so much on the internet, look for an ISP that gives you SLA (Service Level Agreement) to indicate the reliability level.

The right service provider should be able to offer prompt customer care service in case your internet fails. Look for reviews from other clients to know if the ISP you choose responds fast to get your business up and running.

Cost

When looking for a suitable ISP, ensure that you get value for your money in speed and reliability. Put in mind the size of your business and ensure that you get a relevant internet facility.

Type Of Connection

You must make the right choice when it comes to the type of connection. For example, if you choose satellite internet, be sure that your operations will be basically slow. Although this connection boasts of high speeds for downloads, it is relatively slow in transmission.   

 Steps To Take When Choosing An ISP

 Choosing an internet service provider can be quite challenging due to several factors, such as the many options available and confusing contracts. Therefore, you will most likely make the wrong choice unless you know the right procedure to follow. Here are some of the crucial steps to take: 

Look For An Available ISP In Your Area.

Not all internet service providers may be available in your locality. It is, therefore, necessary to locate what is there and find out what they offer. Consider factors such as speeds, cost, package lineups, and compare the different ISPs.  

Look For The Right Speed.

After locating the available internet service provider in your area, the next step will be to get the appropriate speed. Depending on your reason for wanting to have the internet in your place, you will pick the speed you need. Ensure that you test the strength of service that the company offers, which will determine your satisfaction in the long run.  

Ask For Reviews

Getting reviews from other users is the best way to know the reliability of your ISP. You can ask people who have had the service provider’s experience, or you can also get online reviews. You need to inquire about the cost, speed, quality as well as customer care service. Doing this will save you time, money, and energy and ensure that you get the best service.

How To Get Two Networks From A Single Connection

It could sometimes be challenging to get a reliable connection on many devices at the same time. Connecting many machines from a single network can lead to slower speeds and performance. You can create two systems to help solve the issues using the following methods;

Using Hotspot

This method is simple to set up, but it is also not permanent. You will need a tablet or laptop that has hotspot compatibility. Follow these simple steps;

• Locate the Windows key, mostly at the bottom left side of your keyboard. This key has the Windows logo on it.
• Open settings by clicking the setting icon found in the bottom left corner. You can also search for settings in the search bar.
• Open the internet and network (it has a globe icon)
• Look for a mobile hotspot and open it ( found at the bottom left-hand corner. Usually above data usage)
• Edit the name and password of the network by clicking the edit button and putting the name and password of your choice
• Switch on the mobile hotspot if it is not on

Using Two Routers

You can also create two internet networks by using two routers as follows;

• Connect your primary router to a reliable power outlet using an adapter
• Look for the ISP cable and plug it into your primary router. The cable needs to be plugged into a coaxial port since it is also coaxial.
• Use a power adapter and connect the secondary router to a dependable outlet. 
• Use Wi-Fi or Ethernet to connect the secondary router to the primary one. When using an Ethernet cable, connect both routers to the Ethernet port. One of the ends of the Ethernet cable needs to be connected to the primary router port while the back needs to be connected to the Ethernet port of the secondary router.  

When you are using Wi-Fi, login into the secondary router’s settings page using your credentials, look for the address from the bottom of the router’s back. You can find the password or username next to the address information. If you don’t see the data, try using ‘password’ for password or ‘admin’ for username.

Look for the secondary router’s settings page and enter to set up the router. Search and connect the router to the network that is already in place.

Replace the network password and name for the secondary connection with your desired credentials. 

Final Word

With most services and communication done online, having a good internet connection is not an option. You may also realize that it is easier to stream videos and play games using the internet.

One internet connection may not be sufficient to use with many devices simultaneously and thus a need for two networks. You may need two internet service providers, as explained above. Ensure that you are careful when choosing these services to get the best speed and customer cares services.

References:

https://www.rango.net/blog/two-different-internet-providers-in-one-house
https://www.softwarehow.com/have-two-internet-providers-in-one-house/