
Why ISPs, Builders, and Network Experts are Choosing Cat6A for Modern Homes
Modern homes have intense bandwidth demands that only seem to be increasing over time, pushing more ISPs, builders and network experts to switch to Cat6A cabling over more traditional options like Cat6, Cat5e, and Cat5.
In recent years, Cat6A has been seen as a way to future-proof new residential build so they’re ready for the digital demands of tomorrow. However, with its high bandwidth, ability to maintain high speeds over long cable runs, and superior PoE capabilities, Cat6A is no longer just the best way to future-proof a new network – it’s the best way to ensure a network can meet the needs of today’s homeowners.
Structured cabling 101: How Cat6A differs from Cat5, Cat5e, and Cat6
Each new iteration of Ethernet cabling has introduced improvements over previous iterations, primarily in maximum speeds and bandwidth.
Cat5e, for instance, is an “enhanced” version of Cat5. Under ideal circumstances, it can support signal speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps, as opposed to the 100 Mbps supported by Cat5. Another improvement Cat5e introduced was reduced crosstalk – or electrical interference – from other sources, which commonly plagued Cat5 networks.
The introduction of Cat6A is no different. It represents a significant improvement in speed and bandwidth over Cat6. Where Cat6 offers a bandwidth of 250 MHz and supports speeds up to 10 Gbps (under ideal circumstances), Cat6a offers a bandwidth of 500MHz and 10 Gbps over a longer run of cable.
Of course, these speed and bandwidth limits are primarily theoretical. They only have a chance of occurring under highly ideal scenarios, but even still, the difference between Cat6A and Cat6, or between Cat6A and Cat5 or 5e, is stark.
Why the time for Cat6A is now
It’s no secret that the average home places more digital strain on its home network every year.
As more devices are connected to the network, there’s more competition for bandwidth. The extra bandwidth competition can cause various problems on the network, from slowdowns to dropped connections. That’s especially problematic regarding activities like video conferencing for remote workers, streaming 4K videos, or playing online video games.
Cat6A’s higher bandwidth capabilities meet these higher demands. Cat6A’s larger gauge cabling also provides enhanced PoE (Power over Ethernet) capabilities than Cat6, Cat5e and Cat 5. This makes it ideally suited for various smart home functions, such as installing smart security cameras in spots where standard electrical outlets aren’t readily accessible.
Cat6A: Stocking up
For procurement teams, the message should be clear: It’s time to start stocking up on Cat6A cabling, connectors, and accessories.
As more residential builders begin bringing Cat6A into their project specs and more ISP customers demand more reliable internet service, the demand for Cat6A cabling and equipment will continue to grow.
This is also an opportunity for procurement leaders at ISPs to drive conversations within their organizations around the value of network upgrading – or, conversely, the cost of delaying upgrades.
Some estimates suggest that bandwidth demands in the average home have more than doubled since 2018. If a service provider has not made or offered significant upgrades in its network or to its customers in that time, the risk of service slowdowns and disruptions will only increase.
When making those procurement plans around Cat6A cabling, be sure to also cover all the additional connectivity equipment on-site installers need to complete a job, such as keystones, couplers, data/voice modules, and more. Primex offers a wide range of Cat6A connectivity products to meet the needs of today’s connected homes.