Can i have two internet services in one house

Can i have two internet services in one house

Our standard Internet providers can be overwhelmed when too many devices are connected to WiFi.

Despite being fast and strong, the connection becomes intermittent.

An easy solution is to find another internet service provider (ISP) in your home.

Is it possible to have two ISPs in one home?

Can i have two internet services in one house

Yes, you can have two Internet providers in one house.

Technically speaking, you can have as many ISPs in a single home as you want.

However, it depends on whether the home itself can have two Internet providers at a time or not.

It depends on:

  • Your current connection type.
  • The area you are living in.
  • Your current internet provider.
  • Total budget.

Similarly, if you live in an apartment or other rental property, you need to check the agreement to find if you can get two internet providers or not.

Now, let’s break down the technicalities of installing two internet service providers in one home.

What Are The Difficulties In Having Two Internet Providers In One Home?

Can i have two internet services in one house

Whether you don’t want to split your bills with your roommate anymore or want to reduce the load of the single WiFi router connected to various devices, getting two Internet providers is not a problem.

However, finding two ISPs can be a difficult task!

For example, if you have a DSL provider in your home, finding another DSL provider with different cabling can be not only confusing but also a laborious task.

It costs you time and money equally.

Even if you are lucky enough to find one, you need to spend some extra pennies to install a new phone line and get a running internet connection in the cables.

An easy way out is to opt for two different types of Internet service provider connections.

Before getting into the types of Internet Providers, let’s take a look at what an internet provider actually does.

What Do Different Internet Providers Do?

Can i have two internet services in one house

An Internet provider is simply a pyramid of connections whose core function is to provide Internet access to the users, thus connecting them with the world.

Moreover, they are responsible for maintaining the infrastructure and routing the internet traffic one needs for a stable Internet connection.

However, it is the additional services and quality that make one ISP better than the other.

3 Different Types Of Internet Connections

Internet service providers ISP provide you access to strong internet in different ways.

The three most common ways to access the internet are:

1. Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

DSL is the most widely used source of providing an internet connection.

It uses the already present telephone line to deliver Internet access.

The user pays the service provider for both the telecommunication connection as well as the Internet connection.

However, it has slower uploading and downloading speeds.

2. Cable

The second type of Internet Connection is via the installation of a network using the cable of a TV provider.

Since it uses coaxial cables instead of telephone wires, it is comparatively faster than digital subscriber line DSL.

However, a common problem is the security threat

The coaxial cable Internet uses a line shared by the entire street or community.

3. Fiber Optic Cables

Next comes Fiber Optic Cables which are not only fast but resilient in harsh weather conditions.

It sends data at a speed as high as 70% of the speed of light.

Surely, this is the best option to try out.

The downside is that fiber optic connections are not available in every country or city yet.

You need to check beforehand if you are among the lucky ones to have its connection in your area or not.

Comparison Between DSL, Cable, And Fiber Optic Connection

Can i have two internet services in one house

Digital Subscriber Line DSL Cable Fiber Optic Connection
SPEED Low download speed,

only 25 to 500 Mb per second,

and upload speed of

5 to 25 Mb per second

Low download and upload speed similar to that of DSL A very high download speed, almost 250 to 1,000 Mb per second
TRANSMISSION SOURCE Transmission via telephone cables Transition via coaxial TV cables Transmission via Optic lines made of glass
IDEAL USERS Users present in rural areas Perfect for areas where there is no Fiber Optic connection yet Best for users who need a heavy internet connection, e.g., for live streaming or gaming purposes.

How To Choose The Two Internet Providers For Your Home: The Factors To Consider

Can i have two internet services in one house

From downloading a simple YouTube video to processing credit cards and doing online billing, everything needs a sound Internet connection.

Therefore, you can’t simply go and choose any of the Internet service providers.

Here are the factors to consider when selecting a second Internet provider for your home:

1. Different Internet Connections

A general rule of thumb is to never have two Internet providers of the same connection in one house.

It will lead to never-ending chaos.

You can combine DSL with cable, cable with Fiber optic, or Fiber Optic with DSL.

However, two DSL or two cable providers in the same house not only costs some extra pennies but comes with a lot of fuss.

2. Bandwidth

In most cases, the prime reason behind opting for a second Internet provider is the intermittent and lagged output of one ISP.

Therefore, it is essential to consider the Bandwidth of an ISP before choosing one.

It is vital for handling and transmitting data quickly.

The higher the bandwidth, the faster the information is shared.

DSL transmits five to seven megabits in one second, while fiber optics manage to transfer more than 1,000 megabits in less than one second.

3. Availability Of ISP

The most crucial factor to consider while selecting an internet service provider is its availability, specifically for people living in rural areas.

No matter which Internet connection (DSL, Cable, or Fiber optics) you opt for, it is all in vain if the Internet service providers don’t provide coverage and connection in your area.

4. Reliability And Customer Service

Another factor to consider when choosing an ISP is the reliability of the service providers.

Whether getting the first ISP or opting for the second one, it is essential to have reliable Internet service, particularly important for businesses and industries where down connections and slow responses can cause a huge loss.

Therefore, it is better to choose the Internet service providers with a Service Level Agreement SLA.

This agreement indicates the reliability of a particular service provider.

Moreover, it tells how fast the service will get up and back to running if it fails.

Always check reviews of other customers regarding the customer care service and reliability level of a particular ISP.

5. Pricing

Last but not least comes the pricing plan.

An ideal plan provides a sound download speed in a suitable private range.

Be wise enough to opt for the package that fulfills your needs in an optimal price range.

Since you are looking for a second Internet provider for your home, you don’t need a $1,200 per month fiber connection.

The basic pricing plan will work ideally for you.

On the other hand, a $1,200 plan is an excellent option for a large business!

Tips To Get Two Internet Connections In One House

Can i have two internet services in one house

Now that you are equipped with information on how to have two Internet providers in one house and the factors to consider, let’s look into a few tips before having any IPS installed in your home.

  • It is better to call local technicians and tell them that you want to have a second Internet provider at home. They will give the best information about the ideal spot to install your connection for maximum speed and the best connection.
  • Separate the house into two halves, either by floors or lengthwise, and place two modems in the respective halves.
  • Last but not least, adding a second Internet connection in the house will add a significant amount to your monthly bills. Be aware of it.

Pros And Cons Of Having Two ISP In One House

Can i have two internet services in one house

Having two Internet Service Providers have some ups and downs.

Let’s go through them one by one.

Advantages Of Having Two Internet Providers

The few known advantages of having two Internet Providers are:

1. Stability

Using two Internet providers in one house offers you great stability and reliable Internet.

If one internet service fails, you can easily switch to the second service.

2. Speed

Using two Internet providers offers higher download and upload speeds.

3. Two Different Services

It offers you access to more services.

If you want a high-speed, reliable Internet and satellite cable package, you can buy satellite internet along with a Fiber optic high-speed connection.

4. Connectivity And Efficiency

Since using more than one connection results in an enhanced network and greater bandwidth, the efficiency increases, and the chances of lagged output or failed connections decrease.

Disadvantages Of Having Two Internet Providers

Although having two ISPs has various advantages and makes the connection strong for us, it comes with some downsides, too.

  • If you are aiming to add a second Internet provider just to avoid splitting the bill, it is better to split it. Two internet service providers turn out to be quite expensive.
  • There are high chances that the two Internet providers will interfere with each other’s connection, leading to many technical issues.

Can You Get Two Networks In One Connection?

Can i have two internet services in one house

Yes, overwhelming the connection with too many devices results in a less reliable network, leading to slow speed and performance.

Why not create two networks from one connection?

The possible ways are:

  • Using Hotspot
  • Using two routers

Using Hotspot—The First Method

Using a hotspot service is the simplest method to have two service providers in one home.

Remember, this is not a permanent solution.

You can use it as a temporary shift when hooking up with friends or guests at your home for a few weeks.

All you need to do is get a laptop with hotspot capability and follow the given steps:

  1. Turn on your laptop.
  2. Find and press the Windows key on your keyboard. It is present in the bottom left corner with the Windows logo imprinted on it.
  3. Open the settings, and search for Internet and Network Connection. Its icon is like a globe.
  4. Turn on your mobile hotspot, and connect the two devices.

Using Two Routers—The Second Method

A comparatively better and more permanent fix requires you to spend a few pennies, buy a second router, and add ease to your life.

Once you have two routers, follow these easy steps:

  1. Take out the primary router, and connect it to a reliable outlet with no power problems.
  2. Plug the Internet service provider ISP cable into the coaxial port of the router. Make sure you insert the wire in the correct port and tighten it securely.
  3. Take your secondary router out, and use a power adapter to connect it with the dependable outlet.
  4. Connect the two routers by using Ethernet or WiFi. It is recommended to start the connection from the secondary router and move to the primary one. Once you establish the connection between two routers, wait for a few minutes, and let them establish a strong connection.
  5. Now, go to the internet service provider’s official website, and log in to your account.
  6. Open the secondary router’s Settings page, and look for the network available. Connect it.
  7. Change the network name and password for the secondary router connection so that no one leeches off your efforts and Internet.

The only problem while using two routers is that the WiFi signals of two routers can often conflict.

This leads to failed connections and unimaginable slow and sluggish network speeds.

However, as a quick solution, you can change the media utilization in the router’s interface settings.

Alternatives To Having Two Internet Service Providers

Can i have two internet services in one house

If you aim to have two Internet providers at home, but unfortunately, you aren’t able to have access for one reason or another, then here are some other alternatives that offer you the same bliss:

1. Add Satellite Internet Connections

Although it is slow (a slow download speed of 15 Mb per second), it will lower the burden of your first ISP, leading to a better connection.

2. Cellular Connections

If sound cellular towers are installed near your home, you can think of Mobile Data as a secondary ISP.

It requires no wiring, no router, only a sim card, and, yes, a balance.

Conclusion

With advancements in technology, our lives have become easier but also robotic.

From gaming consoles to refrigerators, thermostats, and fitness trackers, all of our home items are connected to WiFi, making them more accessible to us.

In such cases, there is no problem with having two Internet providers in one house.

You can definitely have two!

However, it is better to have two different internet connections to avoid any lost connection.

Also, be vigilant of the reason you are getting a second ISP, and choose the service type accordingly.

However, if having two ISPs is not an option in your area, or you want a cheaper option, opt for satellite internet as your perfect fit!

Can you have 2 internet connections in the same house?

You sure can! Technically you can have as many internet connections as you like.

Can you have 2 different broadband routers in the same house?

In short, yes! It is possible to use more than one router on the same home network, but you do need to be wary about the way you do this. Below, you'll be able to find guidance on how to use multiple routers, as well as the benefits you'll expect to find when doing so.