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ZDNET Highlights
- Wi-Fi is convenient, but it can be problematic in some types of homes.
- MoCA 2.5 is an alternative networking option that uses coaxial cable to deliver fast, low-latency Internet speeds.
- With the adapter, you can enjoy stable, high-speed connections for streaming, work, and gaming.
I’ve always been a champion of Wi-Fi. Wireless networks are convenient, easy to set up and, thanks to improvements over the years, generally stable. As much as I love Wi-Fi, I’m also fully aware that it’s not the right solution for everyone. There are situations where a wireless network is not feasible, such as a house made of brick walls. Bricks and stones can weaken or outright block Wi-Fi signals.
Also: Goodbye, Wi-Fi: This low-cost adapter lets you set up a wired network without running Ethernet
Another option is to run a wired connection directly to the router. But when you take a closer look at your home network, you’ll notice that the line connecting your home to your ISP is a coaxial cable. Does this mean you have to rip out all that junk and replace it with a more modern system as part of an expensive upgrade? Not at all, thanks to the MoCA standard.
What is MoCA 2.5?
MoCA means Multimedia on Cox Alliance. It is a networking standard that uses existing coaxial cables to transmit Internet data. is the most recent version MoCA 2.5Which supports connection speeds of up to 2.5 Gbps and offers low latency, typically less than 2.5 milliseconds.
2.5 Gbps is not the fastest internet speed in the world. With the right ISP plan, equipment, and cabling, it’s possible to get 5Gbps or more, but 2.5Gbps is more than enough for most people. Even the biggest power users are unlikely to reach that limit. My Internet service is capped at 1Gbps, and despite having dozens of devices connected, I have never hit this limit in my home. Whatever, 2.5Gbps is overkill.
What can you enjoy with MoCA 2.5?
At that speed, you can enjoy seamless 4K streaming (and even 8K where available), fast large file transfers, high-resolution video calls, and stable online gaming. This last point is especially important because having a good online gaming experience largely depends on connection stability. A reliable connection reduces the chance of lag, stuttering and sudden disconnections.
This doesn’t mean that Wi-Fi no longer has a place in this type of home. For example, phones and tablets cannot connect to the broader Internet via coax or even Ethernet. However, for desktop, workstation, and laptop setups, MoCA 2.5 is an excellent choice for those who want the reliability of a wired connection but are limited by legacy infrastructure. MoCA breathes new life into old cables stuck in your walls.
Also: Home Internet slow? There are three things I always check first to get fast Wi-Fi speeds
To use MoCA, you will need a special adapter. ZDNET Senior Contributing Editor Ed Bott recently wrote an update about his experiences with MoCA 2.5 and recommends it TRENDnet TMO-321C Ethernet over COAX MoCA 2.5 Adapter. Setup is straightforward: Connect a coaxial cable from the coax outlet in your wall to the adapter, then run an Ethernet cable from the adapter to your PC, and voila – you’ve got Internet.
This is the essence. You will need more adapters for different rooms. The Trendnet model is much cheaper at $65 a pop. One thing to note about the TRENDnet adapter is that it supports up to 1Gbps through its Ethernet port. The company offers a 2.5GB model for $80. If you specifically want a MoCA adapter with a 2.5Gb Ethernet port, check out this GoCoX MOCA 2.5 Adapter.
