is it possible to have two isps?

gbdavidx

does anyone have or thought about getting two? one for downloading/gaming and another one for browsing the web/streaming videos?

is that too much?

meadIT

You can. Although you'll need a firewall and/or router than can handle the connections.

MiikeB

Possible, but seems more hassle than its worth for home use. You would likely either need a device that supports load balancing (a router or something like untangle box) or two separate routers if the gaming devices are separate from the downloading devices.

instant000

I have considered it, but only from the standpoint of having a backup in case the primary went down (thinking availability). Then, I just decided that if push came to shove, I could tether through a phone, and that'd be good enough to tide me over.

olaHalo

When I still lived with my parents we had 3 separate ISPs in one home.

NetworkVeteran

You could just pay for a higher-bandwidth plan, unless you're maxing out. Most ISPs these days offer a variety of data rates. Less equipment. Less complexity. Going with two is more typically done for high availability.

networker050184

I agree with NetworkVeteran, just get higher bandwidth plan. Cheaper and easier than getting a second.

datgirl

NetworkVeteran wrote: »

You could just pay for a higher-bandwidth plan, unless you're maxing out. Most ISPs these days offer a variety of data rates. Less equipment. Less complexity. Going with two is more typically done for high availability.

I would opt for a commercial account with the same ISP. The OP would be able to purchase multiple IPs as needed, as well as purchase more bandwidth, and would have less maintenance complexity as pointed out.

Master Of Puppets

We used to have 2 ISPs at one of the offices for availability. Not very popular though.

JDMurray

Two or more ISPs are standard for facilities that must have redundancy for Internet connectivity. If one ISP or communication service becomes unavailable business can continue over the other. This is also why big data centers are connected to two or more power grids as well.

TheProf

Definitely possible, at one of the companies I worked at, we used two ISP's.

SteveLord

For business, sure. But for home....why deal with the additional set of idiots? Two ISPs is also good for separating your main network from something like a guest/public Wifi.

earweed

Two ISPs are for redundancy. I just installed backups (wireless usb modems) at a couple businesses where the wireless are just failover and it is almost instantaneous.

cyberguypr

I toyed with the idea of two ISPs a while back but ended up doing what datgirl said, going with business class services. Got the basic package with 5 IPs and it has been solid for 1.5 years. Plus support is way better than the scripted drones on the residential services side of the house.

bigdogz

A while back (20+years ago) I worked for a company and we had a fractional T1 and a xDSL as a backup. Back in those days the lines were not as reliable.

As a small ISP some time ago we used 2 ISP's and it helped a few times.
Now we are a bigger MISP and we do this as a way of business. We provide multiple routes depending on the technology and/or architechture.

If you are not looking for redundancy you can split up the data lines to perform the same task. The ISP will just open your pipe a little bigger.

pitviper

I would say for redundancy it's a good idea - but for additional bandwidth it's probably cheaper to just increase your existing connection.

What do you have currently?

Sinema

If you are looking for affordable you should always contact your ISP and look for something for existing customers. I find customer rewards a lot and also if you say you are trying to budget they usually will create a program for you to give you better speeds at lower prices for a period of time.

SteveLord

What? Major ISPs never offer anything to existing customers. Those that do sure don't give you anything near the new customer rates. Crooks.

jibbajabba

SteveLord wrote: »

What? Major ISPs never offer anything to existing customers. Those that do sure don't give you anything near the new customer rates. Crooks.

Well, depends. Here in the UK my ISP (Be) gave me 50% discount on my broadband rental when I said I am off ..