Which Category of Data Cable?

A category data cable (usually referred to as a CAT cable) is a network cable classified into a specific category based on its technical performance.

Simply put:

The category indicates:

• how fast data can be transmitted

• how much bandwidth the cable can handle

• how well the cable is protected against interference

What Exactly Does “Category” Mean?

The category is based on official standards (TIA/EIA and ISO/IEC) that specify:

• maximum data speed (e.g. 1 Gbps or 10 Gbps) – you can measure your internet speed with Speedtest

• maximum frequency (MHz)

• level of shielding against interference

• maximum cable length (usually up to 100 metres)

Generally, the higher the CAT number, the higher the potential performance of the cable.

Overview of Data Cable Categories

CAT	Maximum Speed	Bandwidth	Typical Use
Cat 4	16 Mbps	20 MHz	Older Token Ring networks and legacy networks
Cat 5	100 Mbps	100 MHz	Older home networks
Cat 5e	1 Gbps	100 MHz	Home networks
Cat 6	1–10 Gbps	250 MHz	Homes and modern network installations
Cat 6a	10 Gbps	500 MHz	Offices and new installations
Cat 7	10 Gbps	600 MHz	Less commonly used; often