Cat6A vs Cat6 Network Cabling – Which Should Your Business Choose?
When planning a new network installation or upgrading an existing infrastructure, one of the most common questions businesses ask is:
“Should we install Cat6 or Cat6A network cabling?”
The answer depends on your current requirements, future growth plans, budget and the type of technology your business relies upon.
At Tiamo Networks, we’ve designed and installed network infrastructure for offices, warehouses, hospitality venues, holiday parks, residential developments and industrial sites across the UK. While both Cat6 and Cat6A are excellent networking standards, understanding the differences can help you make a more informed decision and potentially save significant costs in the future.
Understanding Network Cabling Standards
Network cabling forms the physical foundation of your IT infrastructure. Every computer, WiFi access point, CCTV camera, VoIP phone, printer and network-connected device ultimately relies on this cabling to communicate.
While wireless technology continues to evolve, the performance of any wireless network still depends on the quality of the wired infrastructure behind it.
The most common cabling standards installed today are:
- Cat5e
- Cat6
- Cat6A
- Cat7
- Fibre Optic
For most commercial installations, the decision usually comes down to Cat6 or Cat6A.
What Is Cat6 Cabling?
Cat6 (Category 6) cabling has been the standard choice for commercial network installations for many years.
It offers:
- 1Gbps speeds up to 100 metres
- 10Gbps speeds up to approximately 55 metres
- Better performance than Cat5e
- Reduced crosstalk compared to older cabling standards
- Excellent support for VoIP, CCTV and general office networking
For many small offices and businesses with modest networking requirements, Cat6 remains a perfectly viable solution.
Advantages of Cat6
✔ Lower installation costs
✔ Widely available
✔ Easy to terminate and install
✔ Suitable for Gigabit networks
✔ Supports Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Limitations of Cat6
✖ 10Gbps performance limited to shorter cable runs
✖ Less resistant to electrical interference
✖ Less suitable for future high-bandwidth applications
✖ May require replacement sooner as technology advances
What Is Cat6A Cabling?
Cat6A stands for Category 6 Augmented and was specifically designed to overcome the limitations of Cat6.
Cat6A provides:
- 10Gbps speeds up to 100 metres
- Improved shielding against interference
- Better performance in high-density installations
- Increased support for higher-power PoE devices
- Enhanced reliability in demanding environments
As organisations continue to adopt cloud services, WiFi 6, WiFi 7, AI-powered applications, IP surveillance and large-scale data storage solutions, Cat6A is becoming the preferred choice for many new commercial installations.
Advantages of Cat6A
✔ Full 10Gbps performance over the maximum 100-metre channel length
✔ Improved protection against electromagnetic interference
✔ Better support for WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 access points
✔ Greater support for high-powered PoE devices
✔ Longer infrastructure lifespan
✔ Reduced likelihood of future recabling projects
✔ Better return on investment over time
Considerations
- Higher material costs
- Slightly larger cable diameter
- Installation can take marginally longer
- Requires appropriate patch panels and connectors
Cat6 vs Cat6A Comparison
| Feature | Cat6 | Cat6A |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Speed | 10Gbps | 10Gbps |
| Maximum Distance at 10Gbps | 55m | 100m |
| Gigabit Performance | 100m | 100m |
| Interference Resistance | Good | Excellent |
| PoE Support | Good | Excellent |
| Future-Proofing | Moderate | Excellent |
| Installation Cost | Lower | Slightly Higher |
| Expected Lifespan | 10-15 Years | 15-25+ Years |
What About Cost?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that Cat6A costs significantly more than Cat6.
In reality, the cable itself often represents only a small portion of the overall project cost.
Typical cable costs are approximately:
| Cable Type | Approximate Cost Per Metre |
|---|---|
| Cat5e | £0.20 – £0.40 |
| Cat6 | £0.35 – £0.60 |
| Cat6A | £0.70 – £1.20 |
| Cat7 | £1.00 – £2.00+ |
While Cat6A cable can cost around twice as much per metre as Cat6, labour remains largely the same.
For example:
A 48-point office installation may require thousands of pounds in labour, containment, testing, certification and network equipment.
The additional cost of specifying Cat6A instead of Cat6 may only represent a small percentage increase in the total project budget while potentially extending the useful life of the network by many years.
In many cases, spending a little more today can avoid a complete recabling project later.
Why Future-Proofing Matters
Technology is advancing rapidly.
Ten years ago, Gigabit networking was considered excessive for many businesses.
Today we regularly install:
- WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 wireless systems
- 4K and 8K CCTV networks
- Cloud-based infrastructure
- IP telephony
- Access control systems
- High-density guest WiFi
- Large-scale file storage systems
- Virtualised servers
- AI-powered applications
Each of these technologies increases bandwidth requirements.
Installing Cat6A today helps ensure your infrastructure remains capable of supporting future demands without requiring costly upgrades.
Which Businesses Should Choose Cat6A?
We generally recommend Cat6A for:
Offices
Businesses investing in long-term premises and modern IT infrastructure.
Holiday Parks
Sites requiring extensive WiFi coverage, CCTV, ANPR and access control systems.
Warehouses
Large facilities with wireless scanning, CCTV and industrial networking requirements.
Hotels and Hospitality Venues
Guest WiFi, IPTV systems, surveillance and VoIP telephony place significant demands on network infrastructure.
Residential Developments
Developers looking to provide future-ready networking infrastructure for homeowners.
Educational Facilities
Schools, colleges and training centres with high device densities and growing bandwidth requirements.
Why Choose Tiamo Networks?
At Tiamo Networks, networking is not just one of the services we provide—it’s at the core of what we do.
Our team has decades of experience designing, installing and supporting business-critical network infrastructure.
We provide:
- Structured cabling installation
- Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A and Cat7 networks
- Fibre optic installation
- WiFi design and deployment
- Point-to-point wireless links
- Network cabinet installation
- Switch and firewall configuration
- Testing and certification
- Ongoing support and maintenance
Whether you’re installing a small office network or a multi-building infrastructure spanning hundreds of users, we can design a solution that balances performance, reliability and budget.
Speak to the Network Infrastructure Experts
If you’re planning a network upgrade, new office fit-out, warehouse installation or large-scale connectivity project, we’d be happy to discuss your requirements.
Contact Tiamo Networks today for professional advice on whether Cat6, Cat6A or fibre infrastructure is the right choice for your business.
Build your network once. Build it properly. Build it for the future.