2 Different Isp's Simultaneously On One Adsl Line?

[mokwit]

I have a TRUE 2.5MB local (but actually 56k or thereabouts internationally). I was thinking of switching to Loxinfo 1024 as TRUE's TOTALLY CRAP service quality and port blocking has become too much and prevents me from downloading stock data I need to crunch.

The point is the local loop to the ISP is (relatively) fine and has adequate capacity, the port blocking and constriction starts with the ISP's international link. SO, if I could run Loxinfo from one PC and TRUE from another, could I feed them both into the SAME TRUE 2.5 MB ADSL enabled telephone line simultaneously without the signals interfering with each other? ADSL capacity should not be the issue as 2.5Mb is ample considering the data would be construicted to a fraction of this at the ISP's gateway. Remember it is one PC for Loxinfo (data crunching function on this one) and one PC for TRUE.

If it is possible, what hardware/software set up do I need? 2 routers that somehow feed into one?

I seem to remember this question has been asked before, but not sure if it was answered...............................

[dsys]

my gut says no, on this one - get another phone line installed.

[Richard-BKK]

It is not possible to have two the same signals on one cable. And why do you want to, a extra telephone line cost not much... especially if you take ADSL companies like ToT give it free with 1 years ADSL and you even get a free ADSL Ethernet/USB modem..

[sweetchariot]

We used to run Cat and Maxnet, and that required 2 separate lines.

[mokwit]

Two telephone lines is the obvious solution, but I am not absolutely sure if that is possible - only one socket in a huge condo built in 1992 - not sure how they would install a new one.

[Prasert]

Your phone line is connected to the PBX or telephone exchange and to a DSLAM from True (with a splitter in between). No matter how much bandwidth your adsl line is configured for, the entire available frequencyband on the phoneline is used by that DSLAM. So connecting it to another DSLAM is technically not possible.

It is however possible to run more than 1 virtual circuit over a single DSL line, and each circuit can have it's own PPP connection.

Let's assume True is willing to setup a 2nd circuit with tunneling to Loxinfo. Can your router handle 2 PPP connections? And make routing decisions based on the originating PC as you describe? (I know Cisco adsl routers can, but others.....)

Your concern about the local loop - the loop ends at the filterbox and PBX. Usually there is a DSLAM from available ISPs at the same location, so this is technically just a matter of plugging your phone line into another DSLAM if you want to change providers.

But.... I'm not sure if True allows Loxinfo to use their cabling. I know Loxinfo is allowed to use TOT/TT&T cabling, but CAT has it's own cabling.

So as said by others: 2 lines. It's just easier to set up. Loxinfo can easily provide the line to your condo, adding another internal cable in the building shouldn't be that hard. Or check if you can re-route one of your neighbors cables....

[lopburi3]

Although you may only have one phone jack it may well have four wires and be able to accommodate two phone lines.

[Cuban]

Very often when phone lines are run in they use four or six wire (conductor) cables, one telephone line requires two wires. Inside the terminal block where your phone socket is you might find a "spare" pair of wires, these can be used to supply you with a second telephone line that could carry your second ISP.

You might find that Somchai Telephone Installers does not understand this and you will get a second cable installed anyway.

I had about three weeks of engineers not quite understanding the difference between phone, ADSL and ISPs. Also none of them understood anything about computers, their training was limited to "reboot the computer and it will work".

[mokwit]

Thanks to all who replied. I will investigate the possibility of there being spare wires or the chance of adding a new line. Having lived and worked here for 13 years, the idea of co-ordinating with my basic Thai with multiple ISP's and departments over a running a 2nd circuit fills me with dread. I think I will try the second line solution first.

Edited February 27, 2008 by mokwit