Future Trends of Structured Cabling Market

Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) predicts that category 6A cable usage will surpass category 6 by 2024, driven by increased demand in data centers and LAN applications (2020).

Figure 1. Reference from Source: https://www.bsria.com/uk/news/article/structured_cabling_market_
is_slowing_down_despite_growing_demand_from_data_centres/.

Selecting the right cable for a 3 to 5-year support horizon is pivotal, influenced by industry standards and application requirements.

Industry Standards

Industry standards, established by organizations like TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association) and ISO (International Organization for Standardization), provide guidelines and criteria for consistency, interoperability, and quality across sectors. These standards promote efficiency and sustainable solutions aligned with today's focus on environmentally friendly practices. TIA and ISO standards are widely adopted in network cabling deployment.

The latest standards recognize category 6 and 6A for balanced twisted-pair cabling and components. Category 6A is recommended for a broader range of applications, including wireless access points. Key standards include:

• TIA-568.0-E: Provides an overview and sets the groundwork for the entire series of telecommunications cabling standards.
• TIA-568.1-E: Specifies the design and installation of cabling systems in a commercial building.
• TIA-568.2-D: Focuses on the balanced twisted-pair telecommunications cabling and components.
• TIA-TSB-162-B: Provides guidelines for wireless access point deployments.
• TIA-1179-B: Focuses on standards for healthcare facilities.
• TIA-4966-A: Focuses on standards for new education facilities.
• IEEE-802.3bt: Specifies the power capacity that can be delivered on an Ethernet cable.
• TIA-942-B: Specifies the minimum requirements for data centers and computer rooms.

Application Requirements

In today's context, two primary applications utilize copper cabling solutions: wireless access points (WiFi) and closed-circuit television (CCTV). Both applications are Power over Ethernet (PoE) supported.

WiFi enables seamless internet connectivity for devices without the need for cable connections. With high data rate* demands, especially in office environments, WiFi is often utilized by employees. However, slow connectivity issues may arise due to:

1. Network Congestion: Many devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network can lead to congestion and slower speeds.
2. Network Load: Wi-Fi may be fast, but it has limitations in supporting heavy connectivity loads.
3. Signal Interference: Areas with multiple Wi-Fi networks may experience interference due to channel conflicts.

*Wi-Fi 6 uplink reaches up to 9.6G, whereas Wi-Fi 7 uplink achieves up to 30G. Refer to the Wi-Fi deployment page for more information.

CCTV, on the other hand, demands lower data rates but relies heavily on POE power*. With the advent of advanced devices and the Internet of Things (IoT), the need for higher data rates and POE will persist.

*CCTV power consumption ranges from 5W to 51W. Refer to the CCTV deployment page for more information.

CAT6A or CAT6?

Cat6A is recommended for its advantages over Cat6. Here are some key benefits of Cat6A compared to Cat6:

1. Higher Data Rates: Cat6A can support 10 Gbps over longer distances, up to 100 meters, as shown in the table below.
   
   

   Category	Maximum Bandwidth	Highest Media Applications	Data Rate	Connector Type
   6	250MHz	1000BASE-T	Up to 1G	RJ45
   6A	500MHz	10GBASE-T	Up to 10G	RJ45

   Note: Data rates are determined up to 100 meters in channel length. Refer to Types of Ethernet Cables for more information.
   
   
2. Improved Performance: Cat6A cables offer better performance with reduced crosstalk and signal degradation. This improvement is crucial for high-bandwidth applications and environments where signal integrity is critical. For optimal alien crosstalk suppression, consider Vari-Matrix HD cable.
   
   
3. Enhanced Shielding: Cat6A cables feature improved shielding, minimizing electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI). This makes Cat6A more suitable for environments with higher levels of electromagnetic noise.
   
   
4. Support for Power over Ethernet (PoE): Cat6A cables can accommodate the higher power levels needed for Power over Ethernet (PoE) applications.
   
   

   Type	Standards	Maximum Current	Power at Device	Maximum Data Rate
   PoE	IEEE 802.3af (802.3 at Type 1)	350 mA	13 W	1000BASE-T
   PoE+	IEEE 802.3at Type 2	600 mA	25.5 W	1000BASE-T
   PoE++ (4PPoE)	IEEE 802.3bt Type 3 IEEE 802.3bt Type 4	600 mA 960 mA	51 W 71 W	10G0BASE-T

   Note: The PoE power is determined up to 100 meters in channel length.
   
   
5. Comparable Diameter to Cat6: Vari-Matrix HD cable has a cable diameter of 6.2mm, nearly identical to Cat6. This facilitates easier installation and minimizes space consumption.
   

   
   

6. Futureproofing: Cat6A offers extra headroom for future network upgrades and technological advancements, making it a more future-proof solution for environments anticipating higher data rates in the coming years.
   
   
7. Backward Compatibility: Cat6A cables are backward compatible with Cat6 and lower category cables. Consider deploying Cat6A horizontal cables with Cat6 patch cords as an option. Refer to Ethernet link deployment for more information.

Conclusion

The decision between Cat6A and Cat6 hinges on application requirements aligned with industry standards. Cat6A, with its advantages, suits diverse environments and futureproofing needs. Conversely, Cat6 may suffice for past lower bandwidth requirements. The decision should be thoughtful, ensuring a tailored and efficient solution for specific application needs.