can you have two internet providers in same house?

steve66

Hi. Sharing a house with landlord, who pays for vodafone internet. Router downstairs. My room upstairs. I use desktop computer. Get internet through USb. Sometimes connection is okay. Sometimes a lot of buffering, or no connection at all. Also get message when internet starts, that it's not secure and should change to different network.

Previously had virgin at different location under same conditions. That was a lot more solid.

So, thinking at some stage of getting my own wifi internet into my room. Will that interfere with the landlords internet, or hers with mine.

Perhaps a different solution is available?

piplip87

Can you not get a powerline adapter and connect that way ? I have one for work and it has a WIFI booster too so it's taken care of WIFI coverage up stairs too

afatbollix

Is it wired broadband via a landline downstairs?

Vodafone offers a 4g broadband box which you could use.

You wouldn't be able to get another landline in without paying alot of cash.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058206750/can-you-have-two-internet-providers-in-same-house

I dont understand your comment "I get internet through USB", do you mean it's a USB Wifi dongle?

Whats the Internet on your phone like? If it's OK, either use your phone's connection sharing, or get a WiFi hotspot, and a unlimited data SIM card.

GerardKeating

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058206750/can-you-have-two-internet-providers-in-same-house

What internet provide does your Landlord have?

The best connection to the router would always be a wired one, if you cannot get a line to the router, Power Line adattors are normally the next best alternative.

Atlantic Dawn

First establish where the problem is, your landlord may have a poor internet connection to start with, have you asked them how they find the connection? If they have no issues you should be able to run a network cable directly from their router to your desktop, that would provide a more stable connection.

steve66

"Can you not get a powerline adapter and connect that way"

Never heard of a powerline adapter. Looked it up.

Something to think about that, Thank you.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117830334#Comment_117830334

I . My phone is only a 2g. It has no internet. I believe it's a wifi adapter.

AllForIt

Not quite sure what the problem is: Could be you need a better wifi adaptor with an aerial on it for your computer because it's too far away from the router. If that is the issue it's a bit extreme to get an internet service of your own to solve that problem. There are also 'repeaters' available that boost the signal in these situations.

The secure thing could mean that your landlord doesn't use a password to access the router. So you could ask them to put one on it if your concerned. Only someone nearby could hack the signal. Could happen I suppose.

If your landlords internet is slow you can't do much about that and then maybe you would need your own service. I lived in a house share once that 2 separate phone lines. This was back in dial-up days where you couldn't I don't think share the internet.

steve66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117830570#Comment_117830570

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117830280#Comment_117830280

Yes, wired. Router, plugged into a socket

1. Are you referring to https://n.vodafone.ie/business/products-and-solutions/fixed-communications/gigabit-broadband.html
2. Ah, yes. I forgot about cost.

steve66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117830639#Comment_117830639

"A wifi adapter with an arial" Hmm, choice between that, and a powerline adapter. Will try to find out more.

"Repeaters" Never heard of those either. Looks like there are a number of possible solutions.

I Regarding that message . I disconnected and reconnected and message popped up. Basically it's this message

"This Wi-Fi network uses an older security standard that’s being phased out. We recommend connecting to a different network" But I don't know if the landlord who uses a laptop gets the same message.

Windows offers a solution here. https://windowsreport.com/what-to-do-if-your-wi-fi-network-uses-an-older-security-standard/

But it seems a bit complicated to me, and something I shouldn't attempt anyhow if router is not mine.

waynescales1

Get a secondhand 4g router (€50) and a Clear Mobile broadband sim (€13 per month, unlimited data). Job done.

steve66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117830570#Comment_117830570

It's vodafone. I have a feeling the landlord would not like to have a wire running from my router to my room.

steve66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117830761#Comment_117830761

Thank you. Something to consider.

steve66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117830592#Comment_117830592

She says, her internet is fine. Internet is fine. Unfortunately I believe running a network cable would be an issue.

steve66

Thanks to all to responded. I hope to investigate prices of local powerline adapters tomorrow.

beachhead

WiFi adaptor free(mostly,or,maybe e19.99) from a mobile operator and a sim only deal on 30 day roll over contract would be a solution.

beachhead

Get a WiFi modem from a mobile phone operator.Each one offers a sim only deal on a 30 day roll over contract.Sometimes the modem is free,otherwise e19.99 upwards.Worth considering.

dam099

Seems to be lots of advice here to go for 4G/Mobile data options. Given landlord has no issues suggesting the connection into the house is fine, I would strongly advise against those until you have exhausted all other options to improve the internal distribution such as Powerline adaptors (or a better USB Wi-Fi adaptor with antenna and/or a Wi-Fi extender).

Also you assume the landlord wont like Ethernet, have you asked? Slim or flat cables can sometimes be fitted discreetly to skirting board. Also these days if renting out a room more solid internet via ethernet could be a selling point and worth installing for you and future tenants.

As someone who regularly visits my parents house who rely on a 3g/4g connection, I would strongly advise exhausting all other options, before going down the route of mobile internet.

There is a reason the government has chosen to roll out fibre optic connections in the national broadband plan. Wired connections will always be better then a signal from a mobile phone company.

steve66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117830699#Comment_117830699

Okay. just to be clear. There is a router downstairs which is connected into a phone socket. But the landlord has not got her laptop hard connected to it. She is using built in wireless, I guess.

steve66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117831022#Comment_117831022

No, I haven't asked. I would be inclined to take that advise. Thank you.

Tow

> Get internet through USb

What are you using to do this? Many of these devices are not very good. If it is just a small USB dongle them get a better one with at least one antenna.

You need to check how many bars of signal you are currently getting.

Also need go to speedtest.com and post what download and upload speed you are getting.

You will then need to bring the computer downstairs and physically connect with ethernet cable and run the speedtest.com again and post the download/upload results. You could also ask the landlord to do this from their laptop which would be handier.

Those are the first steps and Post the results here. It's impossible to advise otherwise until this is done.

steve66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117831469#Comment_117831469

Okay, Is a dongle and a wifi adapter the same thing? Before I moved to my current address, I was using this item at my previous address. There I was using virgin, here it's vodafone. It was the same situation, router downstairs, my desktop computer upstairs. But my internet was fine. Now this is a much older house, built in the 30's, and an extension in the 60's. I don't think I will be able to buy anything yet, because of financial issues.

steve66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117831505#Comment_117831505

Well, download 1.13. upload 5.14. I have used speedtest before. Is it not unusual for the upload to be faster than the download.

I tried a second time. download 0.25. upload 3.53. So it is an an issue that my upload is faster than my download.

dam099

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117831622#Comment_117831622

Could be a sign of an antenna problem, weak antenna in your WiFi adapter struggles to receive the download signal but the better antenna in the router receives the upload from your computer a bit better.

Different houses, routers and router placement could make a massive difference to WiFi quality so just because it worked before is no guarantee it will now. A speedtest wired to the router (or even on WiFi beside it if your PC is a laptop and you dont have even a short ethernet cable to hand) would give a better indication of what's possible.

steve66

Thank you. Good information. It's a desktop.

steve66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117831671#Comment_117831671

download speed increased to 4.89. and upload to 7.51.

waynescales1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117831996#Comment_117831996

Are those the wired speeds? Vodafone fibre broadband is supposed to be up to 1000mbps.

dam099

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117832710#Comment_117832710

I am not sure OP is clear what package the landlord has but wired into "phone socket" (per post at 8.58) would suggest DSL while upload of 7.5 would have to mean VDSL of a medium decent speed which does make the download speed odd looking (either wired or close on Wi-Fi) based on the usual ratios of DL/UL on VDSL.

waynescales1

One advantage the 4G option would give the OP is very simple installation and total control over their setup. They can customise/troubleshoot without ever having to even speak to their landlord. The landlord may not troubleshoot/solve the issue as promptly as the OP would like, especially if the issue is not affecting the landlord.

Regarding 4G signal, have the landlord or a friend bring their 4G enabled phone to your room and do a speed test before going with the 4G option.

steve66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117833287#Comment_117833287

Hi. Yes, not sure what package exactly she got. But she does have the super wi fi thingie.

https://n.vodafone.ie/shop/broadband/super-wifi.html

i would guess she has this package

100Mb

Speed*

Part Fibre

Technology

Unlimited

Usage

12 month

Contract

€30p/m

for 12 months, then €55 thereafter.

steve66

Yesterday, I went into some computer shops inquiring about powerline adapters, and wi fi adapters with an antennae.

One guy in a repair shop said an adapter with an antennae would not make any difference.

Nobody seemed to have a powerline adapter.

What was suggested was a router extender, and repeaters. Not sure if they are the same thing.

Current speed test

 PING ms

10

 DOWNLOAD Mbps

6.05

 UPLOAD Mbps

9.33

At the moment I am happy at enough at least with streaming aspect

The Cush

Curry's have the powerline adapters

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing-accessories/networking/powerline/321_3076_30123_xx_xx/xx-criteria.html

dam099

Are you sure she has Super WiFi? That's a meshed extender so if she had that there would be a Router (which you have noted plugs into the phone line) AND an extender somewhere too. Unless the house is large and/or has thick internal walls the WiFi should be better than you are reporting.

Given your WiFi looks odd (similar download/upload speed) even close to the router there seem to be a few possibilities here

• Your desktop and/or WiFi dongle have terrible performance (though your prior better Virgin experience might suggest otherwise)
• You are mistaken about the router plugging into a phone socket and it is fact 4G or similar
• There is a fault with the internet connection that is limiting the download speed

Do you know what speed your landlord gets on her own equipment?

dam099

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117837012#Comment_117837012

If the adapter is not your issue one with an antenna wont help but they can in some circumstances. I dont use WiFi on my PC day to day but I sometimes run InSSIDer to measure network strength around me for troubleshooting and my USB dongle with an antenna seems to get me up to 10db better signal than the built in Wifi so it most definitely is better.

steve66

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117839352#Comment_117839352

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117839352#Comment_117839352

Hi. No. I don't know what speed my landlord gets, but will try to find out

Yes, She has a super wifi booster. I know because the item is on top of as box saying super wifi booster.

There is an address on the back of the router, which i can't get into at the moment, because internet is so slow.

There is also a password for a gigabox. But I don#t know if that means she has gigabox.

Some information, which may be helpful

SSID: VODAFONE-84C0

Protocol: 802.11g

Security type: WPA2-Personal

Network band: 2.4 GHz

Network channel: 10

Link speed (Receive/Transmit): 36/36 (Mbps)

Description: TP-Link Wireless USB Adapter

Driver version: 1030.38.712.2019

steve66

2.21 am/

 PING ms

11

 DOWNLOAD Mbps

8.48

 UPLOAD Mbps

7.11

first time download faster than upload.

steve66

Some updates.

(1) I found it's not a router, but a wifi hub.

So it's a wifi hub and a booster.

(2). So yesterday I was getting for the first time a better download speed than upload.

it looks like This happened by sheer fluke. There is work going on in the house. Someone had put a bag of tools in front of the wifi hub. I decided to put the hub at an angle so it was facing away from the tools. Later i checked the speed on speedtest, and that's when i saw the download speed at 11, and upload at 8. But obviously i was having issues before the bag of tools was there.

There is a wall which was just a few feet away which the hub and booster were pointing at. So been running speed test on and off within last two hours and getting an average speed of 7 to 8 Mbps.

But upload speed is still pretty close.

Sorry. I should have mentioned the wall before. But it never occured to me that might be the problem.

So hopefully the issue is solved.

Thanks again folks for the suggestions.

steve66

Perhaps the reason I got an 11 before was because I was using a server not close to me. While using that server I was getting big differences in download speed ranging from 12 to 4.

When I changed to a server within my county, the results were less variable.

mct1

If it's any help I bought this powerline adaptor from Amazon a couple of weeks ago: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0723C86CX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. It replaced a Netgear extender with antennae.

Our fibre speed should be 150, on wifi we usually get about 100. With the previous antennae extender I got 10-20 but had to keep reconnecting due to signal dropping out. With the powerline I get 50-70 and no signal dropping. Very pleased with it.

You connect one unit by ethernet cable to the router and plug it in near the router. You plug the other unit in in the area you'll be working. Here it works for quite a few rooms at the far end of the house. It wasn't cheap but the cheaper extenders just weren't satisfactory.

You decide if you think that could work for you.

steve66

Thank you. If I get issues again. and have money to spare, it will be something to consider.

MAULBROOK

https://n.vodafone.ie/shop/broadband/mobile-broadband.html

Inquitus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117833654#Comment_117833654

Make sure they are on the network you will use, diff networks have diff coverage.