Gigabit speeds is not just specific to a fiber connection.
Historically, Internet providers delivered Gigabit with fiber to your door. But fiber is costly and not always the most convenient and attainable solution for everyone.
The quick answer to “Can you get Gigabit speeds over coax?” is Yes! You can get Gigabit Internet over coax. There are two ways you can achieve this:
- DOCSIS 3.1 multi-Gigabit cable modem
- Coax to Ethernet Adapters
With the latest DOCSIS 3.1 technology, it is possible to get Gigabit over coax on your own and in your own home. We will get into how you can do this, but first let’s cover a few other things you should know, like what coax is and what DOCSIS is.
What does “over coax” mean?
“Coax” is short for “coaxial cable” which is a type of wiring that delivers cable TV services in a home. Any home that was wired for cable TV at some point will have these wires in the walls, and you can use them to get better Internet speeds and coverage.
That is what “over coax” means. When you use technologies like MoCA, or run Ethernet over coax for better Internet coverage, you are leveraging these coax cables to do so.
DOCSIS 3.1 multi-Gigabit cable modem
DOCSIS stands for “Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification.” It is a technology standard that allows broadband data to be transferred over cable wiring using an existing coaxial cable. DOCSIS 3.1 is the latest in DOCSIS technology, and is superior to its predecessor DOCSIS 3.0. Today, you can find DOCSIS 3.1 cable modems capable of handling multi-Gigabit speeds, such as Hitron’s CODA56 cable modem, which features a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port.
Do I need DOCSIS to get Gigabit?
DOCSIS 3.1 technology is the only version that can support multi-Gigabit Internet. That’s because it’s the newest DOCSIS standard that is designed to handle 10X more bandwidth and increased data capacity than the older DOCSIS 3.0 version.
Coax to Ethernet adapters for Gigabit
You can convert your coax cabling into a Gigabit Ethernet connection with a device called a Coax-to-Ethernet Adapter (also called a MoCA Adapter). Most Coax-to-Ethernet Adapters deliver connection speeds up to 1 Gbps to your end devices, creating a wired connection to handle your high-bandwidth activities such as 4K streaming, online gaming and video calls. When you connect a Coax-to-Ethernet Adapter to a coax outlet or coax wire, the adapter instantly converts, or “adapts” your coax cable into a Gigabit Ethernet connection. So, wherever you have a coax outlet or wire, you can create a Gigabit Ethernet connection in that room or location.
You can learn more about Coax-to-Ethernet Adapters in this article that we wrote for you.
Is it worth creating a Gigabit connection?
When you create a wired connection that can deliver Gigabit speeds to the rest of your connected devices, you create the perfect vehicle to transmit extremely fast speeds and increased bandwidth to all of your bandwidth-hungry devices, such as:
Better WiFi Bandwidth
Turn your existing coax TV outlets into a Gigabit Ethernet network connection between your home’s router and WiFi access points. Faster speeds to your WiFi Access points mean faster WiFi performance to all of your wireless devices.
Better Video Streaming
Create an extremely fast and reliable wired Gigabit network connection that allows you to stream 4K and HD video and eliminate buffering or freezing.
Better Online Gaming
DOCSIS 3.1 technology creates a faster connection and lowers latency and lag, so you don’t have to worry while online gaming.
Faster WiFi Speeds and Better Coverage
Creating a connection that is capable of Gigabit speeds can increase your speeds to your WiFi router, and can increase your Internet coverage to any of your coax outlets that has a Coax to Ethernet Adapter.
Looking for more information? We have more articles that cover Cable Modems or Cable Modem Routers, plus more topics. Please check them out under our Learn section of this website, as well, check out our Blog articles.
