Can You Have Two Internet Providers in One House?

If you’re not quite satisfied with the signal strength in certain parts of your house or you can’t seem to find a middle group with the people you share the household with when it comes to the type of Internet you want, you might have considered installing two (or more) broadband networks in your home.

But, can you have two internet providers in one house, what is the best way to install them, and is it the right option for you? 

Let’s dive in.  

Can You Have Two Internet Providers in One House?

You can have two internet services in one house or more, regardless of the type of internet you’d like to install.

You’ll need to connect with two different providers that provide services in your area. It’s best to let them know that you want to set up two separate lines so they can properly plan before wiring your home.

The best way to have two ISPS in one house, without them interfering with each other, is to get a DSL provider and a cable provider and set an appropriate distance between the two routers. 

What Are The Different Types of Internet Connection?

There are 3 types of Internet connections:

• A digital subscriber line (DSL) gives you access to the Internet through your telephone line. It’s the cheapest one available but also the slowest– the speed ranges between 5 Mbp and 30 Mbps.

• Cable – This type of connection uses coaxial cables, the same as cable TV, to provide Internet. It’s faster than DSL, since there’s more bandwidth, and is more stable than satellite internet.

• Fibre – A fibre connection uses fibre-optic cables and boasts speeds that range between 250 Mbps and 1,000 Mbps, making it the fastest internet connection available. Its only current disadvantage is that it’s not as available as DSL and cable internet. 

What Are The Pros and Cons of Having Two ISPs in One House?

Having 2 internet providers in the same house has plenty of advantages, including:

• Stability – Two broadband suppliers can not only speed up the throughput of your connection but can serve as a backup.

• Speed– Having several smartphones, a TV, a gaming console, a laptop and a PC connected on the same network connection can inevitably affect your network’s speed. If you have more than one, you can use it to connect your devices only and avoid any connectivity issues.
  • This can be a huge benefit to gamers who experience problems with lag, jitter and ping.

• Splitting the bill – Regardless of whether you live with roommates or your parents, you can split the cost of the bill if everyone uses the two connections.

• Different lines – Having different providers means having more choices. For instance, you can get cable internet for streaming and gaming and use a DSL in case the first one gets overwhelmed.

While having a second broadband line can be a great way to boost your network speed and stability, there are some disadvantages to having 2 internet services in one house.

The biggest disadvantage is that it’s pricier. Paying for two service providers adds to your monthly expenses. You’ll also have to pay for the wiring to be installed and run. 

Can You Have Two Different Wi-Fi Routers in One House?

It’s possible to connect two routers to the same network, but the process of connecting a second router will require some configuration to allow both routers to work properly.      

 Pros and Cons of Having Two Routers in The Same House 

The benefits of using 2 routers in one house include:

• More wired devices – Adding a second router allows you to connect more devices to it without affecting your network’s speed.

• Mixed wired and wireless devices – You can connect other Wi-Fi devices to the wired home network, allowing some devices to stay connected to the Ethernet. 

• Signal range – Having more routers in the house means the overall reach of the connection will be wider and allow far away devices to connect more easily.

• Network isolation – If you connect two different computers to different routers, the network traffic from the first won’t be able to affect the other.

The only downside to a second router setup is that it requires a very specific configuration to allow both routers to function normally, including IP address settings and DHCP. 

Bottom Line

If your budget allows two internet plans in one house and you have more than two internet service providers in your area, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t purchase two different plans. However, before making a final decision, it’s best to weigh the pros and cons.

If you’re struggling with Internet stability or speed, upgrading your plan might solve the issue.