Ethernet solves two problems: power and connectivity.
Ethernet started in the 1970s – we capitalize it because Xerox copyrighted it before releasing it to the public domain. It was made to connect computers in local networks. Now it’s everywhere, a key part of data centers or your home internet.
The auto industry has begun to use it simplify wiring. Cars today have sensors and modules that need to share a lot of data. Ethernet handles this better than older systems. Homes face the same challenge. Most houses have some Ethernet ports, usually for a router or laptop. But most devices rely on Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi isn’t particularly reliable. Why not treat Ethernet like power outlets? Every room has 120V power outlets. Every room should have Ethernet ports too. This would improve connectivity and change how we deliver power.
Modern electronics don’t need 120V power. That’s why we use transformers to convert 120V AC to lower DC voltages, like 12V or 5V (your phone/laptop charging brick). Power over Ethernet (PoE) skips this step. It delivers low-voltage power directly through Ethernet cables. This lets you move transformers out of sight, to a utility closet or central hub. Your space looks cleaner.
PoE does more than clean up cables. One Ethernet cable can deliver both power and data. Devices stay powered and connected more securely and reliably. Today, connectivity matters as much as electricity. Maybe more. Would you rather lose Wi-Fi or your laptop charger for a few hours?
With Ethernet in every room, setting up devices gets easier. It’s like plugging in a coffee maker. Imagine wired Sonos speakers with perfect audio. Smart doorbells and cameras that never disconnect. Wi-Fi access points with no dead zones. Sensors for motion, air quality, or light, all working 24/7. A house wired with Ethernet isn’t just smarter. It’s simpler and more reliable.
Ethernet isn’t just about now. Homes are adding more devices every year. Bandwidth demands keep rising. The 2.4ghz spectrum that IoT devices run on is already crowded, degrading performance. A wired setup makes sure your network stays fast and stable. Wi-Fi has its place, but it works best with a strong Ethernet backbone.
Making Ethernet standard in homes solves two problems. It simplifies power delivery and makes connectivity reliable.
Why this won't happen
- Homes move too slowly
Tech in cars is years behind our phones. Cars are replaced every 3-10 years. Much more slowly than a phone. But a house? Replaced every 20-50 years? The slow replacement rate reduces the pace of tech adoption.
- The benefits of Ethernet are not apparent without it
Since most homes are not wired with Ethernet in each room, the benefits of doing so are hard to understand. Even worse, few manufacturers make devices that operate (for power in particular) via ethernet, because there are so few potential customers.
The chicken and the egg.