If you work from home, you will need to have a good internet connection. If you and your partner both work from home, you will need to have a GREAT internet connection. There are many different internet service providers to choose from. You may be wondering if you can have more than one different internet provider in one apartment. This could be helpful if you already have a phone service provider that you don’t use for the internet.
It is possible to have two different internet providers in one apartment. You can use two separate wireless routers in your apartment. Or you can sign up for internet from your phone provider, and another network.
Regardless of the method you choose, you need to ensure that the channels run in parallel. If the channels overlap, you may have network difficulties.
Using Two Routers
Below are the steps you can use to install two separate routers in one apartment. Check how many internet ports are in your apartment. If you only have one, you may need your second router to be wireless.
Step One: Register with An Internet Service Provider
If you are setting up the internet for the first time, you’ll want to register with a service provider. An example of an internet service provider would be Xfinity. If you wanted to register with Xfinity, you could visit one of their retail stores to register as a customer. After making an account with Xfinity, they would provide you with a wireless router.
Step Two: Install Your Wireless Router
When you return to your apartment, unbox your new wireless router. Check the package to see if there are any specific instructions for setting it up. If the router comes pre-assembled, plug the power cord and wait for the lights on the device to turn on.
Once your router is turned on, you’ll need to connect your router to an internet source. Plug the ethernet cable accompanying your router into the router’s WAN or internet port. Plug the other end into the ethernet port in your wall. If your router is connecting to the internet wirelessly, you can skip this step.
Step Three: Set Up Your New Network
Your service provider might have helped you set up your network in the store. If they didn’t, they would have provided details on how to do this at home. Use your computer to connect to your new router and set a username and password for your network. Once this is set up, you will be able to connect all your wireless devices to your network.
Devices like a printer or game console may need to be plugged into the router. These can be connected to your router with ethernet cables. Your router should have ethernet ports next to the WAN or internet port for this purpose. If you experience any issues connecting your devices to the new network, check that your router is on. Your router should have lights that show whether the router is turned on. It may also have lights that show whether it is connected to the internet.
Step Four: Register with Another Internet Service Provider
Repeat step one but with another internet service provider. If you have concerns about setting up two separate routers, ask this service provider.
Step Five: Set Up Your Second Router
Bring home and plug in your second wireless router. Make sure to connect it to a power source. Plug the internet cable into the WAN or internet port in your device. Plug the other end into the port in your apartment. If your routers are both plugged into a physical internet port, they can be as close together as you want them to be. If one or both devices are connecting to the apartment’s internet wirelessly, it may be helpful to store them in separate rooms.
Set up your second network the same way that you set up your first network. Give this network a different name and a different password. Connect your devices to whichever network you want them to use.
Using One Router, One Phone Service
Below are the steps you can use to install one internet router and use another network from your cell service provider. This will create two separate internet networks in one apartment.
Step One: Register with An Internet Service Provider
This step is the same as step one for the previous option. Register with an internet service provider to get a Wi-Fi router for your apartment.
Step Two: Install Your Wireless Router and Set Up Your Network
This step also mirrors steps two and three from earlier in the article. When you get home, set up your wireless router by plugging the router into a power source. Then connect the internet cord to the router and your internet port. Again, if your router does not need a physical connection to an internet port, skip this step. You will only need to plug it into a power source. On a computer, set up your wireless network by creating a username and password. Connect your devices to the new network.
Step Three: Contact Your Phone Service Provider
Now you have one internet network established in your apartment. To add another, call your phone service provider and set up an internet plan with them. They may provide you with a router to install in your apartment. Or they could provide you with login information for an existing network. You may need to let them know that you are looking to run two separate networks out of your apartment. They can help ensure that no lines get crossed.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
If you’re having trouble connecting to either of your networks, check each router to make sure it is plugged in. If your router is plugged in but isn’t turning on, call your service provider for help. Sometimes routers can get shut off during a power outage. If this happens, unplug your router, and plug it back in a minute later. If your router is on, but it isn’t connecting to the internet, unplug it, and plug it in again a minute later. Make sure both of your routers are within range.
If your devices aren’t connecting to the networks, you can manually reset each device. Go into your Wi-Fi settings and choose “forget network”.
Then reconnect to this network by reentering your password. This can help if your devices are trying to connect to both of your networks.
In Conclusion
It is possible to have two different internet providers in one apartment! It takes a little bit of work to set up, but this may benefit you if your household uses a lot of bandwidth.
Help Guide: How to Run Ethernet Cable Through the Ceiling? (Step by Step)
