Structured Cabling Standards Explained: Cat6 vs Cat6A vs Cat7 (and When Each Makes Sense)

When planning a new office, warehouse, or commercial space, one of the most common - and most misunderstood - decisions is which structured cabling standard to install.

Clients often ask us:

1. “Is Cat6 enough?”

2. “Do we need Cat6A to be future-proof?”

3. “Is Cat7 better because the number is higher?”

The short answer: it depends on how the network will actually be used.

This guide breaks down the real-world differences between Cat6, Cat6A and Cat7, explains where each makes sense, and helps you avoid paying for capacity you’ll never use - or worse, installing something that will be obsolete too soon.

What Is Structured Cabling?

Structured cabling is the permanent physical network infrastructure of a building. It includes:

• Data cables (copper or fibre)

• Patch panels and cabinets

• Faceplates and outlets

• Containment (tray, basket, conduit)

Unlike switches or Wi‑Fi access points, cabling is difficult and expensive to replace once walls and ceilings are closed. That’s why choosing the right standard from the outset matters.

Cat6 Explained

Cat6 has been the commercial standard for many years and is still widely installed.

Key specs

• Max speed: 1Gbps up to 100m

• 10Gbps: Up to ~55m (depending on installation quality)

• Bandwidth: 250 MHz

• Shielding: Usually unshielded (UTP), shielded versions exist

Where Cat6 makes sense

Cat6 is suitable for:

• Small to medium offices

• Standard business IT use (email, cloud apps, VoIP)

• Shorter cable runs

• Budget‑sensitive projects

Limitations

• Limited support for 10Gbps over longer distances

• Less headroom for future PoE power requirements

• Can become the bottleneck in high-density or data-heavy environments

Bottom line: Cat6 is still viable, but it is increasingly a minimum standard rather than a future-proof one.

Cat6A Explained

Cat6A (Augmented Category 6) was designed specifically to support higher speeds over full-length runs.

Key specs

• Max speed: 10Gbps up to 100m

• Bandwidth: 500 MHz

• Shielding: Typically shielded (F/UTP or U/FTP)

• PoE: Excellent support for PoE and PoE++

Where Cat6A makes sense

Cat6A is ideal for:

• Medium to large offices

• New builds or major refurbishments

• High device density environments

• Wi‑Fi 6 / 6E / 7 access points

• Clients wanting long-term future-proofing

Considerations

• Slightly thicker and stiffer cable

• Higher material and installation cost than Cat6

• Requires good grounding and correct installation practices

Bottom line: Cat6A is now the default recommendation for most commercial projects where longevity matters.

Cat7 Explained

Cat7 is often misunderstood. While it sounds like a natural upgrade, it’s not widely adopted in typical office networks.

Key specs

• Max speed: 10Gbps+ (theoretical)

• Bandwidth: 600–1000 MHz

• Shielding: Fully shielded (S/FTP)

• Connector: Originally designed for non‑RJ45 connectors

Where Cat7 can make sense

Cat7 may be appropriate for:

• Specialist industrial environments

• Certain data centre applications

• Very high interference locations

Why Cat7 is rarely used in offices

• Not officially recognised for RJ45 by TIA standards

• Requires specialist connectors to meet full spec

• More expensive and harder to install

• No real-world performance benefit for most offices

Bottom line: For standard commercial environments, Cat7 offers little practical advantage over Cat6A.

So, Which Should You Choose?

Choose Cat6 if:

1. You’re fitting out a small office

2. Cable runs are short

3. Budget is the primary concern

4. You accept limited future headroom

Choose Cat6A if:

1. You want a network to last 10–15 years

2. You’re installing modern Wi‑Fi

3. You expect growth in users or bandwidth

4. You want strong PoE performance

Consider Cat7 only if:

1. There is a specific technical requirement

2. The environment demands heavy shielding

3. The design explicitly calls for it

Installation Matters More Than the Cable

Even the best cable will underperform if it’s poorly installed.

At Protek Systems, every structured cabling project includes:

• Correct containment and bend radius control

• Proper segregation from power

• Full Fluke testing and certification

• Clear labelling and documentation

• A well-installed Cat6A system will always outperform a poorly installed Cat7 one.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right cabling standard isn’t about chasing the highest number - it’s about matching the infrastructure to how your business actually operates, both now and in the future.

If you’re planning a new office, refurbishment, or network upgrade and want honest advice (not over-spec or underspend), Protek Systems is happy to help.

Get in touch to arrange a site survey or technical discussion.