Does The Internet Work Without A Coaxial Cable? (Solved)

Coaxial cables have been used to transmit data for many years and are still used today, but can you get the internet to work without using them?

The Internet can work without a Coaxial Cable but it depends on what type of outlet the building is supporting. For example, if you have a coax outlet then you will need a coax cable. You can also use an adapter to switch to Ethernet. Or you can change to Fiber Optic/install a 5Ghz hotspot box.

Can you get internet without a coax cable?

There are a few different options for you to get internet without using a coax cable connection. If you are looking to set up an internet connection within your home or business, the first thing you will need to think about is where your internet is coming from.

Many homes are installed with an outlet of some kind, which allows you to connect your electrical devices to a network, satellite, and telephone signal. This is for your laptops, computers, TVs, and telephones.

Many companies installing these amenities in a home will use a coaxial connection. This is because it can supply both your television signal and your internet connection at the same time.

In the mid-to-late 90s coax cable installation was widely used for getting families and businesses connected to the digital world of communication. Therefore, you will more than likely find a coax outlet in most homes.

With this, you can still set up an internet connection within a building, without using coax. This is the result of our modern age and serves as a demonstration of the rapid growth in the internet and technological development since the 20^th Century.

I will now outline two different ways in which you can connect to the internet without using a coax cable.

Fiber optic

Fiber optic is similar to coaxial as it requires an outlet built into the wall of a building with a cable running to the device intended for connection. The difference between them is how the cable is made.

Coax cabling is copper whereas Fiber Optic is made from fiberglass. They both transmit data and internet speeds of a similar caliber.

You will need to have a Fiber Optic outlet built into the wall of the building intended for set-up. If you already have a coax outlet, then this will be a costly and timely process.

These are things to bear in mind when looking for different ways of setting up the internet. You can find an in-depth pros and cons list in this blog post.

Fiber Optic is more widely used for office spaces and large buildings due to its intricate installation process. For residential internet, it just would not be worth it.

Hotspot Box – 5Ghz

Companies such as Huawei have released what is called a 5Ghz Hotspot Box. These devices plug into your mains electric sockets and connect to the same data as smartphones do. They then work as the ultimate hotspot for all devices, creating an internet Wi-Fi connection in your home.

This option is perfect if you have just moved to a new house and have not set up your internet. You can purchase one of these 5Ghz boxes either online or in-store to use as a temporary situation until your internet connection is enabled.

I have used one of these and can say they work well. It is a newly developed technology for bringing Wi-Fi into the home.

One of the major cons, however, is the strength of the signal. There will be days when the signal is incredibly weak due to a dip in 5G. Much like with our smartphones, our data connection can sometimes simply just not work.

Furthermore, the location of your home is especially important to consider when purchasing this as an option for your network.

Although data technology has rapidly grown within the last decade, there are still areas within countries that may experience dips. There is no way around this with a 5Ghz box.

Unfortunately, it will work better in some areas than others. So, it is best to do your research before purchasing.

Lastly, the download speeds are much more limited than with coax or fiber connections. This is due to the internet being sourced from just the box alone, as opposed to a built-in cable connection.

Therefore, for those of you looking for high-speed internet with HD video and calls, or gamers, this is not a long-term solution.

For people living on their own or as a couple, this 5Ghz box will be plenty strong enough to support both of your web surfing needs.

However, for families, it is recommended to install either coax internet or fiber optic, as these are much more efficient and reliable sources of the internet and can support larger numbers of multiple devices connecting.

What can I use if I do not have a coax cable?

If you are living in an apartment with a coax outlet built into your wall, then you will need to purchase a coax cable to connect to your router/modem for the network.

You will not be able to access the internet without one. There is no alternative cable to match a coax outlet.

If your house or apartment does not have a coax outlet, then you will need to get in touch with your landlord to check your options. If you are buying a home, then check with the real estate agent about what type of connection the building supports.

These things are important for setting up your internet once you have moved in.

Without a coax outlet, you can use a fiber optic outlet instead. As mentioned above, fiber optic works similarly to coax and you are assured to have a steady and reliable connection to the internet.

However, it is the more costly choice of the two. If you are looking for a home network, then installing a coax outlet is more advisable.

For office spaces and larger network spaces, fiber optic is much more worth your while.

Another option is Ethernet. If you do not have a coaxial cable, but you have a coaxial outlet in your wall, then you can buy an adapter to set up an Ethernet connection. You can find more on this here.

You can also use 5Ghz hotspot boxes as an alternative. This is more of a temporary solution for the reasons listed above. Install this with caution and the expectation of a much slower Wi-Fi connection than that of a built-in home system.

Which is faster, Ethernet or Coaxial?

Ethernet cables are faster than Coaxial. However, it depends on variables such as your network provider and the router you used to see a true distinction.

Particularly in domestic set-ups, there will be no recognizable difference in their performance to set them apart.

With that, Ethernet cables are a better investment to future-proof your internet connection. This is because of the rapid growth of technology. In other words, coaxial cables will be left behind.

If you have a coax outlet, which many homes have as the standard, you can convert it to Ethernet using a technology called Ethernet over coax (MoCA).

This technology allows you to connect your coax outlet to an adapter which then has an Ethernet port.

The Ethernet port then plugs into your internet router and you are set up as if you have Ethernet running through your house.

For a good visual on this, check out this article by Hitron Tech.

You can also connect these adapters to other devices as well as routers for Wi-Fi. For example, if you have a desktop PC. Plus, using Ethernet cabling is a smart choice for gamers as this is when you will see the difference in performance.

When you need higher internet speeds and download sizes, Ethernet cables have you covered.

Conclusion

Internet without coaxial cable is possible and sometimes the better choice, depending upon your circumstances. With the rapid growth and steps technology is making, we are now seeing an array of options to stay connected.

It is always best to do your research and weigh up costing and installation efforts before making your decision.