topic Re: Openreach in Broadband

Openreach

JMB1996 — Tue, 20 May 2025 15:28:09 GMT

Hi there, I've seen multiple forums online about being able to have two internet providers in the same household. The house I'm moving into already has EE and I want to move my current sky broadband to the new property. I've read it's possible if the router has dual WAN ports. Need help with this and preferably a email to contact openreach directly to help. Thanks

Re: Openreach

GD1 — Tue, 20 May 2025 15:47:47 GMT

@JMB1996 Openreach wont deal with you, and to be hinst i'm not sure what you exopect Openreach to do?

If you want a 2nd line you need to ensure that if you transfer your current provider (Sky) they will likely take over the EE line, you would then need to approach a different provider to install a new line and service and not take over your existing live service.

A search for dual wan routers online will return a variety of different ones and will be dependant on what service is at the property FTTC or FTTP.

Re: Openreach

TimmyBGood — Tue, 20 May 2025 16:22:34 GMT

@JMB1996

Perhaps worth noting that neither ISP will offer any help with configuring a twin-WAN setup.

As @GD1 indicates, it's absolutely crucial that any ISP you approach understands that you are asking for an additional line, not a 'switch' (and even then it's not unknown for them to get it horribly wrong)

Re: Openreach

Anonymous — Tue, 20 May 2025 16:27:00 GMT

Openreach do not deal directly with the public. Their customers are the ISPs.

When you say dual WAN are you looking for a fail-over system or a load balancing system?

Re: Openreach

JMB1996 — Tue, 20 May 2025 16:27:23 GMT

Ah right, like I said I looked online and it said it would be possible to run two providers on one line. If it's a hassle the I might just be better off cancelling my contract.

Re: Openreach

TimmyBGood — Tue, 20 May 2025 16:32:22 GMT

@JMB1996 wrote:

I looked online and it said it would be possible to run two providers on one line.

No, that cannot be done. Each WAN port connects to a different external data circuit (each over either a copper phone pair or an optical fibre)

Re: Openreach

JMB1996 — Tue, 20 May 2025 16:31:37 GMT

Ah ok. Like I said I wasn't sure if it was possible. A lot of online answers says that it is. All I wanted was to move my current internet to the other property without affecting the current one. Seems like I'd have to take over as mentioned. Which id rather not

Re: Openreach

TimmyBGood — Tue, 20 May 2025 16:44:09 GMT

@JMB1996

The confusion may be that a typical domestic Openreach drop cable has either two phone pairs or four optical fibres, so the physical link to the address is capable of carrying more than one ISP service: it just cannot be over the same individual live circuit (one pair or one fibre)

Re: Openreach

JMB1996 — Tue, 20 May 2025 16:43:27 GMT

Ah ok thanks for clarifying and responding so quickly. The help is very much appreciated

Re: Openreach

jamesn123 — Tue, 20 May 2025 16:53:27 GMT

@JMB1996

What your reading is people having two ISPs at the same property using two different physical lines. Its not possible to do it over one line and you'd obviously be paying twice for two lines if you did do it.