MOCA is shit

What's MOCA? Other than a pile of useless overpriced bollocks? Nothing really.

Here is a video at the BBC's website. Unfortunately I can't embed it so you'll have to go and watch it then come back. Please, remember not to believe that you are looking at something in anyway clever or revolutionary or even good.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/9765106.stm

MOCA requires your existing broadband connection, so you still need the box on the wall (or the phone socket) and probably a modem/router/switch box (cable modem, adsl modem, whatever). These things usually have built in WIFI, which means you can share your internet connection out to your laptops, computers, smartphones, internet enabled fridge, all that great stuff. Often they also have 1 or 4 ethernet ports. We'll get back to that later.

The trouble with WIFI, says MOCA, is that it's weak. Maybe if your router is in the concrete lead lined basement, you won't be able to get a full strength signal in your attic. This is a valid concern. So MOCA says you should buy their $200 boxes to stick into new holes in your beautifully plastered walls. Behind these holes you need to hook your MOCA devices into the COAX cables that weave their way through every room in the house. MOCA will then piggy back a network onto these cables. In every room you will then have an ethernet socket, so you can plug in your computer device.

The main problem here is this: what the hell home has a network of COAX running to a faceplate in every single room? And even then, once the MOCA is installed, it gives a WIRED connection to that room. There's no wireless built in. So you'd need another wireless router in every room if you really wanted to expand your wireless network. They say this is a feature they will add soon, I say their product might be a tiny bit useful if it already had it built in but without it it's absolutely useless. Last time I checked, iPhones and Galaxy Tabs didn't have an ethernet port.

You DO have a network of cables in your house. They bring electricity to your rooms and I'll take a safe bet that you have a power outlet/socket in every room (except perhaps the crapper). There are little boxes available in your favourite techy stores, at your favourite online retailers, that use your network of power cabling and piggy back network 'signals' onto those. Much better. Plus they cost about $30 instead.

If you want pure wireless, just buy wireless repeaters and extend the network from your main wireless router.

If you want a totally secure, robust, fast network, go out and buy a reel of CAT6 cable and a load of ethernet/RJ45 faceplates. Wire your house with proper network cable. It will be super cheap and super fast and will give you a potential Gigabit network speed (fast wireless is generally more like 100 Megabit, if you're very lucky).

Basically, MOCA is entirely pointless and useless. Please don't buy one by accident.


Here is a good product for ethernet-over-mains, to give you an instant wired network.

2 pack. £30. 500 Megabit. Not bad at all.
Add as many as you need (not limited to 2).

Here's a smart little compact wireless repeater. Plug it in at relevant locations to extend your wireless signal and boost the power in rooms where it might be a bit weak.

Single item. Very compact, straight into the wall. £36.
Again, add as many as you need. More powerful ones available.

Whatever you do, don't get a MOCA box.

Official MOCA website is here.