Multiple Separate Connections? (non fibre area)

[newuser1]

Hi there,

For a few years now I have tried numerous ways of increasing my upload speed so I'm able to VOIP over multiple networks. Frustratingly, as I live in a rural area it's just not possible (satellite and mobile are too intermittent and too expensive), and fibre isn't even on the horizon. I get a maximum 6.5 download and 0.38 upload!

SO, I am wondering is it possible to have multiple, separate phone lines and broadband connections in the same house (maybe 4?), and run a different VOIP service on each at the same time? Or would this just end up being slow as the connection to the exchange can't handle it?

I am not interested in line bonding etc, I just want separate lines/ connections.

Thanks

[MHC]

You can run as many seperate phone lines as you want.

Each will probably be similar in performance to your existing line but would achieve your aims.   

Factor in three additional lines rentals and broadband fees - and surely satellite or mobile start to look reasonable.

[newuser1]

How would it work with traffic at the exchange? i.e. would having say 4 connections in my house be like lots of different people in the area all trying to use the service at once and therefore slow me down, or would each line perform exactly the same as the first would usually? I hope that makes sense.

No it doesn't even come close to the cost of satellite (which is unsuitable anyway because of the ping rate).

Thank you for the help!

[MHC · Accepted solution]

Everyone of your connections to the exchange will be seperate and give you, say, 6 down / 0.3 up.

These will be agregated with every other customer's connection at te exchange where they will be routed via one or more fibre connections to a peering point.     The Fibre will be capable of handling tens of Gigabits per second and will rarely (if at all) be full to capacity.    So,   you will stilll see 6.0/0.3 on each line.

JUst don't worry about the exchange- there is plenty of capacity.

[newuser1]

Thank you. I may just have found the solution I have been looking for in that case! It's not perfect and it's certainly not cheap, but it'll be the next best thing!

[nhackett]

If you go that route I would suggest a router/firewall to help manage routing, especially if/when any of the connections drop.

Would recommend pfSense - open source and therefore free. I run this with three different ISP's - perfect for VOIP, can direct individual streams - but still have automatic failover if one goes down. Also ensures available bandwidth even if simultaneous browsing / downloading etc.

One other thought - if you have any neighbours with same problem - why not set up a wireless pool so that you can all share?

[JoeRedd]

Just read your last reply. Also out in the country but even worse 0.6 to 1.2 download, 0.16 up load. I have 2 broadband lines but Draytech tell me it is not possible to combine 2 wan conections even though the router has 2 wan ports.

Please tell how you have combined/shared your connection over 2 or more broadbands? We can use one or other but not both on one connection to improve speed.

Many thanks.