| Have you ever asked yourself how fast you can | | | | second connection via a second BT phone line it |
| actually get your home internet connection to go? | | | | will probably connect you to the same Exchange |
| If you are part of the usual domestic group | | | | and you will not obtain quite the exact sum of the |
| (especially in UK) you are likely to have an "up to" | | | | 2 connections. ADSL connection are mostly |
| 23Mb/s advertised download bandwidth on the | | | | provided in a 50:1 or 20:1 content ratio, which |
| common 50:1 ratio. The truth is that you will | | | | means that the same exchange connection could |
| probably never have that. Most will go around | | | | be shared with other simultaneous users. In your |
| 5-6Mb/s and some better around 14-16Mb/s. This | | | | case the 2 lines may be part of the same |
| is what you'd normally get if your telephony | | | | content ratio area/group. That is why you'll get a |
| provider is running on BT's infrastructure. If you | | | | better connection if in addition to your first DSL |
| try a Virgin 50MB/s advertised packaged you | | | | ISP you actually opt in for a cable one for the |
| might get something better. However their | | | | second ISP. You will not be sharing the same |
| service is not as widely available and is priced | | | | infrastructure and you will be much more likely to |
| differently. | | | | get something like this: X + Y = Z (DSL + Cable) |
| Now, how would you feel about doubling that | | | | rather than X + Y < Z (DSL + DSL). |
| usual/average 14Mb/s (if you have ADSL 2+), or | | | | The advantage of bundling 2 ISP connections is |
| maybe even more than double? Obviously it will | | | | not only the increased speed but it also provides |
| not come for free, but it doesn't have to cost | | | | an automatic backup connectivity. In case one of |
| you anything as much as a Leased Line would. | | | | the connection fails; the traffic will automatically be |
| Well, in a simplified presentation, this is how it | | | | directed through the other one. It is a popular |
| would work:a) You have an existing Broadband | | | | choice for medium size businesses who cannot |
| connection with the "X" ISP of 14Mb/s via a BT | | | | afford to take the risk of any connectivity |
| phone lineb) You need to get a second telephone | | | | downtime. |
| line or Cable connection. In the past I remember | | | | The actual process of bundling is not a very |
| BT would allow you to have an "incoming calls | | | | simple procedure and it is recommended that you |
| only" phone line for a lot less than a standard | | | | contact a specialist before you consider boosting |
| phone line. No idea if that is any longer possible. | | | | your connection using this method, more |
| However, if you have the possibility, try first and | | | | precisely, before you get to order the second |
| see if you have a Cable option (eg. Virgin). Will | | | | telephone/cable line and ideally even before you |
| explain later why.c) Get a "Y" ISP connection via | | | | get an internet connection over your first phone |
| the second line.d) The 2 connections X + Y are | | | | line (should you not have one already). |
| bundled together and have a resulting "Z" | | | | This option may not be available in all regions |
| connection which (Theoretically) sums the speed | | | | countries, but it costs you nothing to contact a |
| of the two. | | | | network specialist to analyse your particular |
| I am saying theoretically because, if you add the | | | | circumstances. |