Are you thinking of setting up an ethernet connection in your home or business? Ethernet network cables can have many advantages over wi-fi. They may not be as convenient as wi-fi for connecting mobile devices, but they could have many benefits when it comes to fixed devices like PCs, smart TVs, and games consoles. Here are just a few ways in which ethernet cables could make your life easier.
Faster Connection
Ethernet can be a much faster option than wi-fi. Some new ethernet cables are capable of reaching data transfer rates of up to 10Gpbs. Fiber optic cabling, in particular, can be very speedy.
This could be useful if you regularly download large files such as movies or software. With faster internet speeds, you’ll no longer have to longingly watch the progress bar when downloading and webpages and video may load faster.
Less Latency
‘Latency’ is a scientific name for the delay that occurs as information is sent over the internet. Ethernet connections generally have a shorter delay than wi-fi connections – which can be beneficial in certain situations.
If you’re an avid gamer, less latency could mean that you’re no longer lagging behind other players and are therefore able to react more quickly. Meanwhile, if you’re a company that does a lot of video calls with clients, less latency could allow you to have more flowing conversations without having to wait for the information to catch up. All in all, installing an ethernet cable could enable interactions to be online to feel much more immediate.
Less Interference
An ethernet cable can provide a much steadier and more stable connection. Wi-fi connections can be much more easily affected by interference, causing the signal to fluctuate – everything from radios to baby monitors to Bluetooth devices can interfere with a wi-fi signal.
If you’re sick of the temperamental wi-fi signal, it could be time to switch to an ethernet connection. While ethernet network cables aren’t entirely free of interference, you’re likely to have much fewer connection problems. Fiber optic cabling is particularly renowned for this – if you’re sick of having the internet cut out midway through video calls or being thrown out of games because of a loss of connection, fiber optic cable installation could be what you need to end the frustration.
Better Security
Wi-fi connections can also pose a security risk. A hacker may be able to access private information by merely hacking your wi-fi code and accessing data on your local network. This isn’t a risk with an ethernet cable as all the information is transmitted via a cable – a firewall may still be needed, but otherwise, hackers are unlikely to get through.
Security could be an essential issue if you’re a business. Installing an ethernet cable with the help of network cabling services could help to protect your company’s data and ward off cybercriminals.
Also Read: Why Is Structured Cabling Important For An Organization?
Fewer Health Concerns
Although there is little scientific proof to suggest that wi-fi exposure can cause any health problems, it is still a concern to some people. There are fears that radio waves emitted by wireless routers could be a cause of cancer. Whether you firmly believe this or want to be extra safe, switching to an ethernet connection could eliminate any health concerns as all information is sent through a cable and not through the air.
Greater Energy-Efficiency
Another unexpected way in which ethernet could benefit you is by lowering your energy usage. A wi-fi router consumes a lot of electricity compared to an ethernet cable. Not only that, but it can put more strain on the devices it’s connected, causing them to drain more power.
To help you save money on your bills and to lower carbon footprint, adopting an ethernet cable could be a small step.
Less Battery Drain on Portable Devices
It is possible to plug an ethernet cable into portable devices such as laptops, mobile phones, and tablets – and it could have its advantages. An ethernet cable could cause much less drain on your devices’ batteries. This could be useful if you need to use your laptop on low battery and don’t have your charger handy.
A Useful Backup
Of course, you could always enjoy the benefit of having two connections – a wi-fi connection and an ethernet connection. Your ethernet connection could serve as a backup option for portable devices if your wi-fi fails. Similarly, your wi-fi could serve as a backup for if your ethernet connection fails. This way, you’re always connected. This could be useful for businesses – downtime without internet could be costly given that so much work is reliant on the internet.
Easier Troubleshooting
When wireless routers fail, it’s often much harder to get to the source of the issue. Troubleshooting tools are often useless, and your only option may be to call out a technician.
Diagnosing faults with an ethernet cable is by contrast much easier. This makes it much easier to fix issues quickly.
Easier Set Up
Ethernet network cables can also be much easier to set up. While you may still need the help of network cabling services, there’s less likely to installation issues as can sometimes occur when setting up wi-fi.
At Phase One Cabling, we’re able to manage all kinds of ethernet set up jobs from fiber optic cable installation for homes to high-performance gigabit Cat7 installation for businesses. To get a quote, don’t hesitate to call us here at +1 516-402-3119 or fill in our feedback form here.
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