Does Fios Router Need Coax Connection?

I have only been aFios customer for about 4 years now, ever sinceFios cable came to my neighborhood. My router is the G1100 and it's pretty fast, but I was thinking of replacing it with a mesh router. But no mesh routers that I've seen have a Coax connector.

My question is if the coax connector is necessary for my Triple Play service. What does that connection do for my Fios (that has the fiber optic cable coming into my basement and wired to an ONT box and equipment)?

There was a a similar question from 2013, but the equipment has changed considerably. I've also noticed that Verizon has some recommendations for owner-purchased routers that don't have a coax connector, so what gives?

"Asking for a friend."

Robert

Accepted answers

Cang_Household

You can go ahead with using your own router. I mean, we (the CLs) are kind of running the "Tier 4" support over here.

When your Internet connection is delivered over Ethernet, a VZ router does not talk to the ONT over Coax, although they may appear coaxially connected physically. Two coaxial connections are required for the main STB to work, first is Linear TV signal from the ONT, so coax to the ONT, second is the MoCA LAN from the VZ router, so coax to the router. It is as if inducing corollary, 1 is connected to 3, 2 is connected to 3, but 1 does not need to be connected to 2, but still is connected.

Right now you don't need a VZ router for STB activation and upgrades. Instead of using IGMP and multicast which need to be managed correctly by a VZ router, STB can fall back to unicast to query the backend servers. The only feature missing is the remote DVR. I am not sure whether caller ID works.

All comments

pacmusicman

For subscribers to Fios TV, the STBs use the coaxial connection to update channel listings. There may be more, but that is the use I remember. The coax cable can also be used as a substitute...up to a certain point...to deliver Internet service when Ethernet cable isn't available. To take advantage of top speeds, Ethernet cabling is needed, especially between the ONT and router. To utilize third party routers with coax cabling, adapters would be needed.

jazzersaxman

To piggy back on this question...since the verizon connection uses both ethernet and coax, if you used the ethernet feed from the ONT and not the coax to go to a mesh, would that work? Could you still use their coax to go directly to the set top box and bypass the gateway router all together?

gs0b

Welcome to the forums! You're talking mostly to a bunch of friendly users here.

The Verizon set-top boxes utilize a LAN connection over coax for everything except linear TV channels(*). They use MoCA to run an Ethernet like LAN on coax. All command and control, guide data and streaming video data go over this link. The Verizon routers create the MoCA LAN for the set-tops, thus providing them with a link through the internet to the Verizon network. Without a device to create the MoCA LAN and route traffic between the internet and that LAN, the set-tops won't work. That device is a Verizon router.

You may be thinking what if I create my own MoCA network using readily available MoCA adapters? While that sounds like a plausible idea, there are problems with it. The first is technical - the Verizon routers open and mange ports specific to the way the set-tops communicate. This is built into the routers and the boxes. Very few people have been able to duplicate this without a Verizon router, and maintain it when Verizon updates their systems. The other issue is Verizon does not provide ANY support if you don't use their router. They won't help with any issues passed the ONT for TV or Internet. Unless you're willing to become self support when you don't have access to all the info needed to maintain your network, this isn't a great option.

What you can do is install a mesh network behind your Verizon router. You can disable the Verizon router's WiFi and run all of your equipment on your mesh network.

Another option is to cut-the-cord and go with streaming TV such as YouTubeTV. Then you can use any router you want as the need for a coax link and a Verizon router goes away. Depending on how many boxes and services you have, this may even be a cheaper option. You'll still have to self-support the router, but it's much easier without boxes in the mix.

(*) If you have the latest FiosONE boxes, only the main box requires a coax connection. The minis can use coax, WiFi or Ethernet. But these must come from a Verizon router.

Cang_Household

You can go ahead with using your own router. I mean, we (the CLs) are kind of running the "Tier 4" support over here.

LaneMeyer

Hi there. This the best explanation I've seen on this topic. I have a follow-up question that I think is an offshoot of this. Here goes:

I want to install a Firewalla firewall to protect my network. I am struggling with where/how to place it with the Coax in the mix.

If I simply put it on the ethernet wire between the wall and the router, will this then protect everything downstream? Here is what I don't understand: How the coax signal flows/what it does. Here's what I mean:

In Room 1, I have a computer that is hard-wired from the G1100 router. (so, coax + Ethernet come into the router from the wall, and then an ethernet connection goes out to the computer).

In Room 2, I simply have a MoCA adapter connected to the coax from the wall. So, coax from wall --> Ethernet to computer.

I've played with different things, and it appears that if I unplug the coax at the router, then the coax line in Room 2 goes dead, so this would suggest that somehow the signal is coming into the router and then back out to the other coax jacks in the house (could this be right?).

My worry is that if I put the firewall on the ethernet wire into the router that I'm not going to be inspecting traffic flowing on the coax. BUT, my wonder is: Does all internet come in through the original ethernet from the ONT, and then flow back out? If so then my solution is simpler than I'm making it: Firewall that line and everything downstream is good.

Sorry for the long post. Would really be interested to hear your thoughts. Thanks!!

LaneMeyer

Hi there. This the best explanation I've seen on this topic. I have a follow-up question that I think is an offshoot of this. Here goes:

I want to install a Firewalla firewall to protect my network. I am struggling with where/how to place it with the Coax in the mix.

If I simply put it on the ethernet wire between the wall (ONT?) and the router in the main room, will this then protect everything downstream? Here is what I don't understand: How the coax signal flows/what it does. Here's what I mean:

In Room 1 (main room), I have a computer that is hard-wired from the G1100 router. (so, coax + Ethernet come into the router from the wall, and then an ethernet connection goes out to the computer).

In Room 2, I simply have a MoCA adapter connected to the coax from the wall. So, coax from wall --> Ethernet to computer.

If so then my solution is simpler than I'm making it: Firewall that line, connect to the router and everything downstream is good. (there are a couple of things coming out of the router - mesh WiFi network, device hub, etc).

Sorry for the long post. Would really be interested to hear your thoughts. Thanks!!

LaneMeyer

Hi there. This the best explanation I've seen on this topic. I have a follow-up question that I think is an offshoot of this. Here goes:

I want to install a Firewalla firewall to protect my network. I am struggling with where/how to place it with the Coax in the mix.

In Room 1, I have a computer that is hard-wired from the G1100 router. (so, coax + Ethernet come into the router from the wall, and then an ethernet connection goes out to the computer).

In Room 2, I simply have a MoCA adapter connected to the coax from the wall. So, coax from wall --> Ethernet to computer.

Sorry for the long post. Would really be interested to hear your thoughts. Thanks!!

User01012023A

You don't need the coax cable if you have cut the cord and only use internet for your TV (such as YouTube TV). The Verizon ONT system will work with the coax removed from the device, but you will only have internet.

[Deleted User]

In order to keep discussion on the community current, this topic has been locked to prevent new replies. If you have a similar question or issue that you wish to discuss, then please feel free to post a new message on the most relevant board. Thanks!