Coax Networking Guide
Short answer: MoCA 2.5 and G.hn both turn the coax in your walls into wired Ethernet. Use MoCA 2.5 (D-band) if you have cable internet such as Xfinity, Spectrum or Cox: it is faster (up to 2.5 Gbps) and shares the cable with your modem. Use G.hn Wave 2 if you have satellite TV such as DIRECTV or DISH: it runs at 2–200 MHz, below the satellite signal, at up to 1.6 Gbps. If your coax is unused, either works and MoCA is faster.
Key takeaways
- MoCA 2.5: up to 2.5 Gbps, runs above 1 GHz, works alongside DOCSIS cable internet, conflicts with satellite TV.
- G.hn Wave 2 over coax: up to 1.6 Gbps, runs at 2–200 MHz, works alongside satellite TV, conflicts with cable internet.
- MoCA and G.hn adapters cannot talk to each other: use one technology for the whole network.
- Satellite homes can also use extended E-band MoCA (400–900 MHz), such as the Kiwee KB-M3-02E.
What is the difference between MoCA and G.hn?
MoCA (Multimedia over Coax Alliance) and G.hn (ITU-T G.9960/G.9961) both send Ethernet over the coax cable already in your home. They look alike from the outside, a small box with a coax jack and an Ethernet port, but they use very different parts of the cable, and that decides which one will work in your home.
A coax cable can carry many signals at once, as long as each uses its own frequency range. Cable internet, cable TV, satellite TV and antenna TV each have their own range, and a coax network adapter has to fit into the space that is left free in your home.
Above 1 GHz
MoCA 2.5 (D-band)
Sits just above cable TV and DOCSIS cable internet. Designed to share the cable with your cable modem. Up to 2.5 Gbps.
2–200 MHz
G.hn Wave 2 (coax)
Runs far below satellite TV (950–2150 MHz) and most antenna channels, but overlaps cable internet. Up to 1.6 Gbps.
So the two are mirror images: MoCA D-band coexists with cable internet but collides with satellite TV, while G.hn coexists with satellite TV but collides with cable internet.
MoCA vs G.hn comparison table
| MoCA 2.5 (D-band) | G.hn Wave 2 (coax) | |
|---|---|---|
| Max throughput | Up to 2.5 Gbps | Up to 1.6 Gbps |
| Frequency range | Above 1 GHz (D-band) | About 2–200 MHz |
| Cable internet (DOCSIS) | ✅ Works alongside | ❌ Not on the same cable |
| Satellite TV | ❌ Overlaps satellite signals | ✅ Works alongside |
| Antenna TV | ✅ Works alongside | ⚠️ UHF yes; some VHF and FM overlap |
| Latency | Low, a few milliseconds | Very low (under 1 ms on Kiwee G.hn adapters) |
| Devices per network | Up to 16 | Up to 16 |
| Security | Link encryption, push-button pairing | AES-128, push-button pairing |
| Standard | MoCA Alliance | ITU-T G.9960 / G.9961 |
Which one should you use?
Pick the scenario that matches what already runs on your coax.
Cable internet
Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, Optimum: use MoCA
Your modem uses the low and middle part of the coax and MoCA sits above it, so you get up to 2.5 Gbps between rooms with the modem untouched. On DOCSIS 3.1, see our MoCA and DOCSIS 3.1 guide.
Models: KB-M3-02 (2× 2.5GbE), KB-M3-03 (PoE+), KB-M3-04 (2× PoE++).
Satellite TV
DIRECTV, DISH: use G.hn or E-band MoCA
G.hn stays far below the satellite band and Kiwee G.hn adapters pass the TV signal through untouched. Details in our MoCA and satellite TV guide.
Models: KB-G3-01 (G.hn), KB-G3-03 (G.hn + PoE+), KB-M3-02E (E-band MoCA).
Fiber or DSL
Unused coax: either works
MoCA 2.5 gives the highest speed; G.hn the lowest latency. MoCA keeps working if you later switch to cable. Verizon Fios TV boxes run their own MoCA network, so check first.
Antenna TV
Over-the-air TV: MoCA is the safe choice
Broadcast TV stays far below the MoCA D-band. G.hn works with UHF, but some VHF channels and FM radio share its range.
Can you mix MoCA and G.hn adapters?
No. MoCA adapters only talk to MoCA adapters, and G.hn adapters only talk to G.hn adapters, so buy all the adapters for one network in the same technology. Within MoCA, a MoCA 2.5 adapter works with older MoCA 2.0 or 1.1 devices on the same band, but the link runs at the speed of the slowest device.
Checklist before you buy
- Find out what runs on your coax today: cable internet, cable TV, satellite TV, antenna TV, or nothing.
- Match the technology: cable internet on the same coax means MoCA D-band; satellite TV means G.hn or extended E-band MoCA.
- Count your rooms: one adapter next to your router, plus one in each room you want to connect.
- Need power too? Pick a PoE model (KB-M3-03, KB-M3-04 or KB-G3-03) to power an access point or camera.
Frequently asked questions
Is G.hn better than MoCA?
Neither is better everywhere. MoCA 2.5 is faster (up to 2.5 Gbps versus 1.6 Gbps) and shares the cable with cable internet. G.hn has lower latency and shares the cable with satellite TV. The right choice depends on what else runs on your coax.
Can I use G.hn with Xfinity or Spectrum internet?
Not on the same coax as the cable modem, because G.hn and cable internet use overlapping frequencies. Use MoCA D-band adapters instead.
Can I use MoCA with DIRECTV or DISH?
Standard D-band MoCA overlaps the satellite signal, so it is not recommended. Use G.hn adapters or an extended E-band MoCA adapter.
Is G.hn over coax the same as powerline?
They use the same G.hn standard, but over coax the signal travels on shielded cable instead of noisy power lines, so speeds are much higher and more consistent. Coax and powerline G.hn adapters are separate products.
How many adapters do I need?
At least two: one next to your router and one in each room you want to connect. Both MoCA and G.hn support up to 16 adapters on one network.
Not sure which one fits your home?
Tell us what runs on your coax and we will recommend the right Kiwee adapter.
