Having fast, reliable internet at home is more important than ever these days. Many households find that they need more bandwidth to support multiple devices and data-hungry activities like streaming video. This leads some to wonder—can you have two internet providers in one Canadian house at the same time? There are a few options to consider.
Checking with Your Main Internet Provider
The first thing to check is your current internet service provider’s (ISP’s) policies on multiple connections. Some major ISPs like Bell, Rogers, Shaw, and Telus offer add-on packages for extra bandwidth. There may be options to simply upgrade your speed tier first before going the two-provider route.
For example, Bell offers a “Whole Home Wi-Fi” package that blankets a home with fast wireless connectivity by installing multiple modems. Rogers has “Ignite Internet” plans with download speeds up to 2.5 Gbps. Shaw provides modem upgrades to enable faster speeds. Telus offers fiber optic internet packages with speeds up to 2 Gbps through its “PureFibre” brand.
So first inquire with your main provider about better speeds or multiple modem capabilities before assuming you need two separate ISP connections.
When a Second Provider Makes Sense?
That said, there are situations where turning to a second ISP could be beneficial:
Faster Speeds
The fastest internet speeds available from one provider in your area may still not be enough. Adding a second separate connection essentially doubles your bandwidth. This could mean faster speeds for bandwidth-heavy tasks like video streaming, gaming, video calls, and file sharing across multiple devices at once.
Connection Redundancy
Having two ISPs means that if one goes down for some reason, like a network outage, you still have internet access through the second provider. This kind of connection redundancy is especially important for telecommuters or remote businesses.
Better Coverage
Some homes have weak Wi-Fi signals in parts of the house or property—a basement apartment or backyard cottage, for instance. Installing a second router connected to a different ISP can help extend strong coverage to those fringe areas.
Separate normal and smart home traffic
A second provider also allows you to set up two separate Wi-Fi networks within the home. You could dedicate one network for streaming, gaming and browsing, while reserving the second for your smart home devices like security cameras, thermostats, and appliances to keep that network congestion-free.
Options for Adding a Second Internet Service
If you determine that two internet connections could benefit your household, what are your options for providers in Canada?
Cable Internet
Cable providers typically offer high-speed plans of 150 Mbps or higher plus gigabit fiber speeds in some areas. So they make a solid foundation as your primary internet source.
Top cable ISPs in Canada include Rogers, Shaw, Videotron, and Cogeco, available in different regions of the country.
DSL Internet
Digital subscriber line (DSL) internet travels over telephone landlines instead of cable TV infrastructure. While top speeds generally max out around 50 Mbps, reliability can be a key advantage of DSL providers.
Major telephone companies that offer home DSL internet include Bell, Telus, SaskTel, and Bell Aliant.
Fiber Optic Internet
For the fastest speeds, see what fiber optic providers are available in your neighborhood. These carriers run fiber cables straight to the premises, capable of 1 Gbps and higher.
Top fiber ISPs include Bell, Telus, Rogers, Shaw, Videotron, and smaller regional brands like Beanfield Metroconnect, Urbanfibre, and FibreStream.
Fixed Wireless Internet
Another option is getting your internet wirelessly over the air from regional providers versus cables. This fixed wireless equipment gets installed on your roof or balcony, receiving signals from local towers or transmitters.
While speeds generally max out around 25 Mbps, it can make for an affordable backup. Look into providers like ABC Communications, Xplornet or Netset Communications if they cover your area.
Satellite Internet
Satellite internet like Xplornet or Starlink beams signals down from orbiting satellites instead of ground-based towers. It also provides an option for rural households beyond the reach of wired infrastructure. Just note that unreliability, data caps, and latency lag could hamper the experience.
How to Connect Two ISPs in One House?
Once you pick two compatible internet providers for your home, how do you go about connecting them? Getting everything set up properly involves a few key steps:
Choose separate infrastructure
First, select providers that deliver internet via different means—for example, cable and DSL or fixed wireless and fiber. Having two connections relying on the same local infrastructure risks both failing at once in an outage. Different technologies help ensure redundancy.
Install two modems
You’ll need a modem or receiver from each provider to connect to their service and networks. Whether coaxial cable for one and phone jack for the other or ethernet cables from wall-mounted equipment, the two can’t overlap.
Set up two routers
Connect each modem to its own separate Wi-Fi router to broadcast two distinct home networks. Opt for decent dual-band routers capable of current standards like 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5 or 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6.
Configure networks separately
Give your two Wi-Fi networks different names (SSIDs) and passwords so you can connect devices selectively to one or the other as needed. Set them to broadcast on different radio frequency bands to prevent interference—say 2.4GHz for one and 5GHz for the other.
Assign static IP addresses
To access both connections simultaneously on one computer, you’ll need to assign static IP addresses outside the regular Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) range the routers assign other devices dynamically. This prevents IP address conflicts between the two networks.
Enable VLAN tagging (optional)
For more advanced configurations, you can enable virtual LAN (VLAN) tagging on the routers to keep the traffic from the two networks separate while allowing devices to access both simultaneously. This adds complexity but prevents clashes.
Splitting Usage Between Two Providers
Once your home has two active internet connections set up properly, think about how to divide usage between them:
Daily browsing on primary
Do your regular online activities like web browsing, messaging, standard definition video and music streaming on the main primary network so it handles the bulk of everyday light traffic.
Bandwidth-heavy tasks on secondary
Shift bandwidth-hungry tasks like gaming, video calls, 4K or VR streaming, and large file downloads to the secondary provider so these activities don’t congest the primary network.
Smart home on secondary
Similarly, connect most smart home devices like security cameras, digital assistants, and IoT gadgets exclusively to the secondary Wi-Fi. This curbs their background chatter from interfering with primary traffic.
Work devices on primary, personal on secondary
Consider associating all work laptops, computers, and printers with the primary SSID used for business activity. Then connect entertainment products, smartphones and tablets mainly to the secondary network used for personal purposes.
Guest network
You could make the secondary internet network your guest SSID as well. Letting visitors connect keeps their usage separate from main household traffic. Just ensure security settings are high for unfamiliar devices.
Benefits of Using Two ISPs
Adding a second internet service alongside your current provider offers a few compelling benefits:
Speed boost
Combining two connections cost-effectively doubles your available home bandwidth versus paying a steep premium for gigabit speeds from just one ISP.
Enhanced reliability
If one network experiences technical problems, you have immediate backup internet access through the secondary provider to avoid disruptions.
Expanded coverage
Extending the Wi-Fi range to cover dead zones on the property is possible by positioning a second router in just the right spot.
Traffic separation
Segregating lighter browsing from heavy streaming prevents clogs. Similarly isolating smart home chatter curbs interference with core tasks.
Redundancy for work
Robust backup connectivity enables uninterrupted remote work and business operations by safeguarding uptime.
Potential Drawbacks to Consider
While using two ISPs in one Canadian house can certainly help overcome speed, reliability, and coverage challenges, the tactic isn’t without some downsides to weigh:
Higher costs
Paying for two monthly internet subscriptions means higher bills, so budget accordingly. But divide service tiers strategically between basic and premium to minimize overall spending.
Complex setup
A dual network setup takes more knowledge, equipment, and tweaking than a single ISP plug-and-play situation. Consider the pros and cons before committing to the project.
Double troubleshooting
Having two connections means twice as many technical glitches could arise for you to resolve. Troubleshoot each network separately to pinpoint issues.
Security risks
Every internet-connected device represents another potential entry point for cyber threats. Bolster protections across both networks to reduce vulnerabilities.
Feature limitations
Some equipment may not readily support accessing two networks simultaneously. Verify modem/router capabilities and consult manuals about VLAN tagging specifically.
Expert Tips for Running Two ISPs
Here are a few expert tips worth remembering if endeavoring to install and manage two active internet connections in one Canadian property:
Thoroughly test speeds first
Run speed tests initially on each network individually, then with both connected to help catch issues early before daily usage commences. Confirm routing setup enables accessing both networks concurrently from the same device when needed.
Monitor data usage
Check usage metrics in router admin consoles periodically to avoid overage charges as consumption now gets split across two providers. Set alerts about exceeding data limits.
Label everything clearly
Use descriptive names for Wi-Fi SSIDs, static IP addresses, connected devices, and hardware ports. For example, differentiate “Primary Modem” from “Secondary Modem.” This eases management, access, resets, and troubleshooting long-term.
Automate failover if possible
See if your routers or a software service supports automatic failover to switch usage temporarily to the secondary connection when the primary has issues until service restored. This prevents gaps in connectivity.
Set QoS bandwidth priorities
Use Quality of Service (QoS) software built into better routers to configure optimal bandwidth allocation across devices and tasks. This helps minimize lags when streaming or video calling.
Secure both networks
Change default admin passwords, enable encryption like WPA3, hide SSIDs, and regularly update firmware and settings. Repeating this security hardening for each network defends against intrusions.
The Bottom Line
Can you have two different internet service providers actively connected in one Canadian house? Absolutely! With good planning and setup, combining cable or fiber primary internet with DSL, fixed wireless, or satellite secondary internet works well. For the ultimate in speed, reliability, and whole-home coverage, simultaneously utilizing two ISPs is an effective approach.
Just be sure to choose compatible providers, isolate the infrastructure and routers for each network, assign static IP addresses carefully, divide usage strategically between lighter and heavier tasks, and secure all devices thoroughly. This helps maximize the advantages while mitigating drawbacks.
With our robust telecom competition and diverse service options, fortunate Canadians can mix and match plans innovatively. So give the two-ISP tactic a try—double your home’s connectivity today!
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