To connect to the Internet, today we can use both Wi-Fi networks and Ethernet cable. It is true that wireless networks are much more present than a few years ago, but we are going to tell you why the network cable still has a great future ahead of it. We are going to explain what you should take into account and what are the benefits that even today, and at least for a while, will continue to provide compared to wireless.
Mainly, we usually connect computers by cable. But we can also use televisions with Ethernet ports and other devices, even mobile phones with a corresponding adapter. Although it may seem otherwise, that we are heading towards the disappearance of the network cable, there are still reasons to use it.
Reasons to use network cables
Keep in mind that there are different types of Ethernet cables. They don’t all have the same speed, nor will they all reach the same distance. Therefore, choosing the right model to use is going to be key to achieving a good connection and not having problems that affect when browsing the Internet.
Protocol incompatibility
A primary reason to use Ethernet cables now and in the future is incompatibility with newer Wi-Fi protocols. If you want to achieve maximum speed through wireless networks, nowadays you need devices that have Wi-Fi 6. This applies both to the router, and also to the devices you connect.
This lack of compatibility can result in us having to use network cables to achieve maximum speed. A CAT 7 Gigabit Ethernet cable, for example, allows you to achieve symmetrical 1 Gbps without problems. That same speed is more difficult to achieve through Wi-Fi, so we commented on the incompatibility with the latest protocols.
coverage issues
Coverage should also be mentioned. We do not always have access to Wi-Fi throughout the house. It is common for there to be dead zones, places where the signal reaches the weakest. In these cases, although we have the option of having repeaters and other devices, it may be necessary to connect by cable.
In the future, even if technology improves, coverage problems will continue to exist. We are going to have to rely on third party devices, at least in many cases. On the other hand, having a good network cable installation at home will allow us to connect to the Internet with greater stability and speed.
future technology
You also have to think about future technology that may arrive. Today we have, as something general and basic, Gigabit technology. That is, network cards and routers that typically support up to 1 Gbps symmetric. But little by little we will see more devices capable of supporting up to 10 Gbps.
In a few years, the optical fiber that we can hire will be higher than the current one. We are going to be able to use the cloud with greater speed, use virtual reality, etc. Although Wi-Fi will improve, at least initially it will be necessary to use cable to have a higher and stable speed.
Many devices with Ethernet
Another reason is that we can find many devices that have Ethernet ports. We are not only talking about computers or televisions, for example, but also about the devices that we use to improve the Internet signal. We can find PLC devices, Mesh systems or wireless repeaters that have one or more Ethernet ports.
This makes it possible to connect other wired devices to them. For example, you could take the connection from one place to another in the house through PLC devices and connect an Ethernet cable television. This way you will get a greater stability of the connection or even more speed than when using Wi-Fi.
As you can see, Ethernet cables are going to continue to be around at least for a while if we look to the future. Although wireless networks have improved, the truth is that there will always be certain limitations that must be reckoned with.