Here’s how to use a Wi-Fi router without a coaxial or an Ethernet cable:
You have two options to use a Wi-Fi router without a cable:
- Using a Wi-Fi router that supports SIM cards
- Connecting a Wi-Fi router to another Wi-Fi router
So if you want to learn all about how to use a Wi-Fi router without a cable, you are in the right place.
Let’s jump right in!
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Wi-Fi Router Without a Cable?
With an increasing trend of mobile hotspots powerful enough to support multiple devices, the need for Wi-Fi routers is left at home.
A wireless router is a device that can be found in almost any household. It’s something that lets us connect to the internet without having to deal with cables.
It’s also more practical. For example, with Wi-Fi routers, we avoid tripping over cables and experiencing other cable-related malfunction.
Nobody wants to deal with those kinds of nuisances. But we sometimes need a cable to connect the wireless router to the modem or to the internet access point to get an internet connection.
We need wireless routers to have internet access across our homes, and we need them to have internet access in places such as:
- Universities
- Cafes
- Work
- Bars
It’s become an essential piece of machinery in our lives and an everyday necessity.
So, how do they work?
How to Use a Wi-Fi Router Without a Coaxial/Ethernet Cable?
There are two ways you can use a Wi-Fi router without cables:
Wi-Fi Routers With SIM Card Integration
There are Wi-Fi routers that can be purchased with a network provider. They do not require cables as they contain SIM cards with different data plans.
These SIM cards serve as an internet access point.
Ergo, you don’t need cables as you already have something inside the device providing internet access—in this case, a SIM card.
Connecting a Wi-Fi Router via Another Wi-Fi Router
You can also create a wireless Wi-Fi router using another Wi-Fi router connected via cable to the internet. So it’s sort of creating a bridge between two devices.
To do this, we would need to have two Wi-Fi routers. The second router has to be accessed by typing in the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the device into our browser.
We need to type it in the place where we usually type in web addresses and hit “Enter.”
That is how we enter the configuration. There is usually a menu on the left side that has different functions. We need to enter the “working mode” function.
Once we do that, we can select “client mode,” that way, we can connect this router to the other router that is sending wireless signals.
Now, you have a wireless connection to an internet access point.
So, technically, the second router isn’t using a cable, but you still need a cable to provide an internet access point for the first router.
How Do Wireless Routers Work?
A wireless router is a device that connects to a modem.
A modem is a device that directly connects to an internet access point.
If we want a high-speed internet connection, we need to have a cable connection to an internet access point.
The modem is usually connected to an internet access point or server using:
- A Coaxial cable
- An Optic fiber cable
- A Regular telephone landline
A coaxial cable is a cable made of plastic and copper wires, and it transmits information in the form of electric signals.
Whereas an optic fiber cable is made of plastic and glass, it transmits information in light or optics.
There’s another type of cable, and it’s called a “twisted pair.” We’ll get into the details on these three a little later.
So, we need one type of cable to connect to an internet access point using our modem. Then, we can use an Ethernet cable to connect the wireless router to the modem, and we then have a wireless connection to all the devices in our home.
Sometimes, the modem can act as a 2 in 1 solution. It can have an integrated wireless router. Then we skip a couple of steps to get an internet connection on our devices.
So, let’s discuss different ways we can connect to a network and different cable types:
Fiber Optic Cable
With fiber optic cables, data is transmitted in the form of light pulses. As a result, this type of cable has a very good reputation in terms of data transmission speeds.
Magnetic fields don’t have any effect on this type of cable, so it is very reliable in terms of connection. However, they are quite expensive, and they aren’t widely available in every part of the world.
One major advantage these fiber optic cables have over other cables is that they are incredibly resilient to long-distance data transmission.
Unfortunately, they are very prone to cuts and other forms of damage.
So, if you need a very high-speed connection, these are the right way to go, but they do come with disadvantages regarding installation, cost, and damage.
Coaxial Cable
This type of cable is also known as coax cable. It can transmit high-frequency signals in electrical form.
They are quite durable and perform extremely well over short distances. So, when we need a good connection over a short distance, this is the right choice.
Plus, they are not as expensive as the optic fiber cables. As a result, they are a mid-budget solution when it comes to staying connected.
A major drawback is signal loss over long distances. Also, signals are prone to leaking at different points of connection.
Finally, the connection speed is not very reliable when there is a lot of usage of these cables. The more modems connected, the lower the speed.
MoCA Adapter
A solution for the drawbacks of coax cables is MoCA (Multimedia over Coaxial Alliance) adapters.
With coaxial wiring in the building, this adapter lets us have a high-speed internet connection in our homes without adding more cables or drill holes in the walls.
A MoCA adapter is more reliable than a costly wireless router, and it highly improves the speed of data transmission.
What does a MoCA adapter do? It connects to a coaxial system, and it improves the wireless system.
It’s a system that has two endpoints. You can use the adapter to connect multiple modems in a building as well. It’s a great solution for coaxial wiring.
Twisted Pair Cable
Now, a twisted pair cable has a single circuit that has two conductors twisted together. Ergo the name “twisted pair.”
The Ethernet cables we use are twisted pair cables. The reason why they are so widely used is that they are very affordable.
The drawbacks are: they are not durable, they are easily affected by magnetic fields, and unfortunately, they are prone to signal loss.
However, they are affordable, easy to install, and very efficient over short distances. That’s why we mainly use them.
So, if we want a reliable internet connection in our home, we can count on this cable type. We will also need an Ethernet switch if we plan to connect multiple devices.
Ethernet Switch
An Ethernet switch is a device that connects other devices together in a network.
Unfortunately, it requires the same number of cables as the number of devices we want to connect.
It basically looks like a box with ports (slots where you can plug in an Ethernet cable). It’s not the same as a light switch, but you can turn it on or off.
Why do we need an Ethernet switch? Well, sometimes we want to have a reliable internet connection on all our devices at home.
Unfortunately, there’s no reliable connection like a cable connection. We all know that Wi-Fi can be quite unreliable at times.
This switch gets the job done. However, the main disadvantage is the cables. You need them to connect to the switch, and it can be quite a hassle installing all those cables at home.
So, we know that we need to use cables to have reliable internet speeds and connections in our Ethernet networks. But can we use a wireless router without a cable?