A communication network includes first and second coaxial cables. The first cable transmits forward path, downstream signals to customer devices. The second cable receives reverse path, upstream signals from customer devices. In a preferred embodiment, the downstream bandwidth exceeds 500 MHz and the upstream bandwidth exceeds 500 MHz, such as frequencies of 5 to 550 MHz in both the downstream and upstream directions. A power inserter provides a ground to first and second shielding layers of the first and second cables, a first part of a differential power signal to a center conductor of the first cable and a second part of the differential power signal to a center conductor of the second cable. A tap is also provided for the dual coaxial system, so as to provide access to the signals and/or power of the first and second cables without terminating the first and second cables.

A connection housing has a main and secondary pair of electrical contacts on a printed circuit board, each having a first and a second electrical contact. A first set of conductive tracks electrically couples the first contacts of the main and secondary pairs, and a second set of tracks electrically couples the second contacts of the main and secondary pairs. The contacts of the main pair are two perforation or insulation displacement contacts receiving transversally and directly connecting two insulated conductors of a same main single-pair Ethernet cable entering and exiting from the housing through two main ways for access to the housing. The contacts of the secondary pair electrically connect two insulated conductors of a same secondary Ethernet cable linked through a secondary way for access to the housing.

There is provided a face plate (36) for a cable tap (10) comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) (40) and first and second electrically conductive interface elements (32, 32) in contact with the PCB (40), wherein the first interface element (32) has a first impedance and is configured to engage with an input connector (24) within a back box (12) and the second interface element (32) has a second impedance and is configured to engage with an output connector (24) within the back box (12). The interface elements are elongate pins, typically with a length in the range 2 to 25 mm. A support structure (42) disposed around each interface element. Part of the support structure (42) forms a boss (64, 64) mountable on electrical switches associated with a power bar (70) within a back box.