CAT6 vs. CAT6A vs. CAT7: which cabling suits your business network?

The foundation of a reliable business network

Network cabling is an investment for the next 10–15 years. The choice between CAT6, CAT6A and CAT7 determines not only today’s performance, but also the flexibility for future applications, cloud usage, VoIP, video conferencing and Wi-Fi 6/6E backhaul.

While all three categories are widely deployed, they differ significantly in speed, shielding and cost.

What do these differences mean for your organization?

CAT6 – solid foundation for standard office environments

CAT6 is a reliable and cost-effective solution for businesses primarily using 1 Gbps networks.

Advantages:

• Low cost
• Flexible and thin
• Suitable for most workstations

Limitations:

• 10 Gbps only over short distances
• Less future-proof

CAT6A – the business standard for modern networks

CAT6A is the best choice for organizations wanting to invest in future-proof infrastructure. Thanks to higher bandwidth and better shielding, CAT6A reliably supports 10 Gbps up to 100 meters.

Advantages:

• Full 10 Gbps up to 100 meters
• Better shielding against interference
• Ideal for cloud, VoIP, video conferencing and Wi-Fi 6/6E
• Lasts 10–15 years without limitations

Limitations:

• Thicker and less flexible
• Higher material costs

CAT7 – maximum shielding and performance

CAT7 is designed for environments where interference, high data volumes or critical applications play a role.

Advantages:

• Very high bandwidth
• Fully shielded (S/FTP)
• Ideal for data centers and EMI-sensitive environments

Limitations:

• Thicker and less flexible
• More expensive
• Not always compatible with standard RJ45 connectors

Our advice for business environments

Choose CAT6 when:

• 1 Gbps is sufficient
• Cost is a major factor
• It concerns standard office workstations

Choose CAT6A (recommended) when:

• You want a future-proof network
• You want to support 10 Gbps
• You use many cloud applications
• You want to power Wi-Fi 6/6E access points
• You want to avoid interference-sensitive environments

Choose CAT7 when:

• You work in a data center or industrial environment
• EMI interference poses a risk
• Maximum performance and stability are required

Property	CAT6	CAT6A
Maximum speed	1 Gbps (10 Gbps up to 55m)	10 Gbps
Bandwidth	250 MHz	500 MHz
Maximum distance	100 meters (1 Gbps)	100 meters (10 Gbps)
Shielding	UTP or FTP	Mostly FTP/STP
Cable diameter	~6mm	~7-8mm
Price	Lower	20-30% more expensive

Need help choosing?

Unsure which cable category best suits your situation? Get in touch for a free consultation. We’re happy to visit and assess your situation to provide honest advice.