People tend to arrive at this question already convinced of the answer. Either cabling is old-fashioned and everything is wireless now, or wireless is unreliable and everything should be wired.

Both are wrong often enough that it is worth working through properly.

What cabling actually does

Cabling does two jobs, and only one of them is what people expect.

The obvious one is giving a device a fast, stable, private connection. A cabled TV or computer is not competing with anything and is not affected by walls or distance.

The less obvious job, and the more important one in most homes, is feeding access points. When you run a cable to a second point in the house and put an access point there, that access point broadcasts at full strength from a good location. Without a cable it has to relay a weakened signal from elsewhere, and everything it sends is limited by what it received.

Most people who need cabling do not need it for their laptop. They need it so their WiFi works.

When wireless is genuinely enough

Wireless will do the job when:

  • The home is single storey with a straightforward layout
  • Internal walls are lightweight rather than solid masonry
  • The modem sits reasonably central rather than in a corner or a cupboard
  • Nobody is working from a room at the far end of the building
  • The main use is browsing, streaming and normal family activity

Plenty of homes fit that description. In those places, sorting out modem placement and equipment usually solves everything, and cabling would be spending money for no noticeable benefit.

We will tell you when that is the case.

When cabling is worth it

Cabling earns its place when:

  • The home is two storey, or has a studio, garage or granny flat
  • Walls are brick, double brick or otherwise solid
  • Someone works from home and needs calls that do not drop
  • There are fixed devices in set positions, such as TVs, a desktop, a console or an office
  • You have already tried extenders and been disappointed
  • There are security cameras that upload footage continuously

If you are mainly dealing with one weak area rather than a whole-house coverage problem, our WiFi dead zone fixes explain the options before you commit to more extensive cabling.

That last one matters more than people expect. Cameras running over WiFi both consume network capacity and depend on it, and a wired camera is more reliable in the moment it actually counts.

The middle ground most homes land on

The realistic answer for most homes is not everything wired or everything wireless. It is a small amount of cabling supporting good wireless.

Typically that means one or two cable runs to well-chosen positions, access points at those positions, and everything else connecting wirelessly to whichever access point is closest. Fixed devices get plugged in where the cable already goes past.

That is a modest amount of work with a disproportionate effect, because you are fixing where the signal starts rather than trying to amplify a weak one.

The timing question

If you are renovating, building, or having any work done that opens up walls or ceilings, run the cable then. It is dramatically easier and cheaper while things are open, and the decision you avoid making now becomes a much bigger job later.

If you are not renovating, cable can still usually be run through roof spaces, under floors or externally in conduit, with minimal disruption.

Either way, the question worth asking is not “do I need cabling” but “where does the signal need to start”. Answer that and the cabling decision answers itself.

Cabling connected to the telecommunications network must be carried out by a registered cabler. AVsion holds ACRS Master Cabler registration A036841, and all installation work is covered by a 12 month labour warranty.

More on network and data cabling and whole-home WiFi.

Written by Yariv, Owner and Lead Installer at AVsion. 14 years installing AV, WiFi and security systems across Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need Ethernet cabling in my house or is WiFi enough?

It depends on the home. Single storey homes with lightweight internal walls and a centrally placed modem often do not need cabling at all. Two storey homes, solid brick homes, and homes with a studio or granny flat usually benefit significantly. The most common reason to run cable is not to plug in a laptop, it is to feed additional access points so the WiFi itself works properly.

What is the benefit of running cable to an access point?

An access point connected by cable receives a full strength connection and broadcasts a full strength signal from wherever you put it. An access point relying on wireless can only rebroadcast what it receives, so if it is sitting in a weak coverage area it rebroadcasts weak coverage. Cabling means each signal source starts strong regardless of how far it sits from the modem.

Should I hardwire my TV and computer?

Where a cable can reach a fixed device, it is worth it. Wired connections are faster and more stable, and they are not affected by walls, distance or other devices competing for the network. Hardwiring TVs, desktop computers and home office equipment also frees up wireless capacity for phones, tablets and everything else that has to connect wirelessly.

Is it worth running data cabling during a renovation?

Yes, and it is by far the best time to do it. While walls and ceilings are open, cable runs are quick and straightforward. Once everything is closed up, the same work becomes considerably more involved. Deciding where access points, TVs, cameras and office points should sit before the walls close is one of the highest value decisions in a renovation.

Can data cabling be installed without a renovation?

Usually yes. Cable is commonly run through roof spaces, under floors, or externally in conduit and brought back inside, with small access points at each end. Some homes are more restrictive than others depending on construction and access. We assess the property first and explain what is realistic before quoting or starting any work.

Who is allowed to install network cabling in Australia?

Cabling connected to the telecommunications network must be carried out by a registered cabler under the Cabling Provider Rules. AVsion holds ACRS Master Cabler registration A036841. It is reasonable to ask any installer for their registration before allowing network cabling work to be carried out in your home.