There is nothing in life more frustrating than a slow internet connection, especially when working from home, so you may be wondering how to increase internet speeds in your home. While some areas of the country expect fiber lines, others still lack access to broadband speeds, leaving few options for faster, more reliable connections.
Channel binding, in some cases, is the answer to this dilemma. Today we’re going to be discussing what it is, who it works for, and some of the downsides you might encounter when connecting two internet connections in your home.
What is channel binding?
As the name suggests, channel bonding is the process of putting multiple channels together to create a faster internet connection. It is accomplished by software or hardware used to distribute your web traffic among different internet providers. This distribution occurs at the packet level or when your data is segmented as it travels across the Internet.
You can compare channel binding to a restaurant where your order is distributed to multiple chefs so they can prepare it faster. With channel binding, your computer can have multiple Internet providers requesting different parts of your request. The data returned by your provider is then assembled by your channel link software or hardware.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of channel binding
Channel bonding is very effective in improving your Internet speed. When linked, the two channels work in parallel before combining to provide (almost) twice as much data as your typical connection. Without channel binding, even if you have two connections each providing 100 Mbps, you will never exceed 100 Mbps because you are always connected to only one of them.
It also protects you from sudden disconnections as you are still connected to two or more providers simultaneously. If you have multiple connections, you’re probably used to switching between them when one fails. Your channel link setup will do this for you. You will no longer have to worry about disconnecting and switching to the network that is currently online.
Unfortunately, channel bonding is not perfect. As we have already mentioned, it requires multiple internet connections to function. These connections can be from the same provider, but that means if one goes down, chances are they both will. You will therefore need to subscribe to several Internet packages for this to work, and ideally with different providers to avoid outages.
The ideal solution, if you have the option, is a single fast or broadband fiber connection. But as we mentioned before, this is not always possible.
To use channel binding, you may also need to purchase a WIFI router who can do it for you. Another option would be to download an application or software capable of creating a server-side channel link. Whether you choose to go with a hardware or software solution, both come at a cost.
Different ways to create a channel link
There are two ways to link the channels. The first is to use hardware, be it a router or a dedicated PC to manage your connection. Another option – and the best option for most people – is a software solution. Each has their pros and cons, but the software solution is generally cheaper (although often a monthly subscription) and involves less maintenance and tinkering.
Let’s take a closer look at the two options.
Use the material to channel the link
The hardware solution is most often done with a router. There is no “right” way to link two Internet connections and the solutions here are many, but the common theme is that they all join a connection split into one at the end. The router accepts both connections, merges them and treats them as one connection before sending a signal to your device (s).
One of the advantages of using hardware for channel bonding is that you can connect multiple devices, enjoying faster internet speeds for each. Software solutions often require you to pay per device.
The downside is that it’s usually not a straightforward process for casual web surfers. It will often take hours of DIY to set it up and then ongoing maintenance whenever something goes wrong. You might be better off hiring a network specialist to do this for you, but that too comes at a cost.
Use software to channel the link
If you’re using a mobile device, whether it’s powered by Android, iOS, or another operating system, you can download apps to channel the link. Applications like To log in, Mobilize and Net optimizer Allow your device to connect to Wi-Fi and mobile data simultaneously.
This is great if you like to use multiple devices, which is probably most of you reading this article. But unlike the hardware solution, you will rarely pay once for it. Channel bonding software solutions typically come with a monthly invoice. Another negative point is that monthly access isn’t always the most reliable, depending on the service you use. It is a ‘you get what you pay for’ space.
Is Channel Bonding Worth It?
Yes and no. As with anything tech-related, the answer is really ‘it depends’. If you can get a fiber optic connection or a fast broadband connection from your cable provider, the answer is a categorical no. The added cost and complication of channel linking is certainly not worth it if you have these faster, more reliable options.
However, if you live in a location limited to DSL providers, channel binding could provide the speed boost you were looking for, in addition to increased reliability – assuming the two connections are not from the same provider.
