LAN Cable Installation

LAN and network cables come in different Categories (or Cat). The more common ones are Cat 3, Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6a, Cat 7. All of these cables have increasing transmission speed for data and bandwidth respectively. The higher the category, the more expensive the cabling, because additional materials, and stricter standards are used to protect data from crosstalk, that is, unwanted signal disruption within the data channels. Cat 3 are mostly phased out already.

On top of that there is also the shielded twisted pair (STP) and unshielded twisted pair (UTP), depending on the presence of additional materials to prevent signal disruption. Generally Cat 6 and above are mostly STP, while the rest are UTP. Cat 7 is a Screened Shielded Twisted Pair (SSTP). You may refer to the table further below to check out the specifications of the various categories. Do note that while the higher categories are backward compatible, the ethernet speed will be constrained by the lower category installed. 

Do contact us if you would like to have one of the category of LAN cabling installed in your home or building. We offer services for both concealed and surface cabling depending on your preferences.