This article was machine-translated from French and is being reviewed. Prices are in Algerian dinars excl. VAT.
Cat6 cable suffices for most offices: it supports 1 Gb/s over 100 m, and IEEE 802.3bz also allows 2.5 and 5 Gb/s over the same distance. Cat6A becomes necessary when you need 10 Gb/s over 100 m, e.g. to a server or between two racks. Here’s how to choose between Cat6 and Cat6A for an installation in Algiers.
In short
- Cat6 (class E, 250 MHz): 1 Gb/s over 100 m. Suitable for workstations, IP phones, IP cameras and Wi‑Fi access points.
- Cat6A (class EA, 500 MHz): 10 Gb/s over 100 m. It is suitable for servers, links between racks and cabling you don’t want to remove for a long time.
- The PoE does not depend on cable category. The limit comes from length (100 m), the PoE standard (802.3af, 802.3at or 802.3bt) and the switch’s PoE budget.
Cat6 or Cat6A cable: what the standards guarantee
Three families of standards complement each other. ISO/IEC 11801 defines cable classes: class E for Cat6, class EA for Cat6A. TIA‑568 defines categories 6 and 6A. IEEE 802.3 defines Ethernet speeds, such as 1000BASE‑T (1 Gb/s) and 10GBASE‑T (10 Gb/s). The term “Cat6e” seen on some datasheets is not a standardized category: read the datasheet to see if it’s actually Cat6.
| Criterion | Cat6 (class E) | Cat6A (class EA) |
|---|---|---|
| Characterized bandwidth | 250 MHz | 500 MHz |
| 1 Gb/s (1000BASE‑T) | 100 m | 100 m |
| 2.5 and 5 Gb/s (802.3bz) | 100 m | 100 m |
| 10 Gb/s (10GBASE‑T) | 37 m guaranteed, up to 55 m depending on the environment | 100 m |
| Crosstalk between adjacent cables (alien crosstalk) | Not specified by the standard | Specified by the standard |
The 100 m is understood for a full channel: 90 m of cable installed (permanent link) plus 10 m of cords in total. At 10 Gb/s, a Cat6 cable can operate between 37 and 55 m if neighboring cables disturb the link little, but only an on‑site test confirms it.
Concretely, on a short link between a server and the switch in the same rack, Cat6 can carry 10 Gb/s. As soon as the link is long or cables are bundled in large bundles, only Cat6A guarantees 10 Gb/s over 100 m.
Cat6: for what uses?
Choosing Cat6 means assuming that 1 Gb/s per outlet is enough, with possible headroom to 2.5 or 5 Gb/s. This applies to:
- office workstations (mail, browsing, files);
- the IP phones ;
- IP cameras: a video stream occupies only a small part of a Gigabit link, and it is the uplink from the switch to the recorder that aggregates all streams and must be monitored;
- the Wi‑Fi access points, whose wired port is often 1 Gb/s. Some models have a 2.5 Gb/s port, which Cat6 supports.
Cat6A: for what uses?
Choosing Cat6A means paying more today to avoid pulling cable tomorrow. It is justified in these cases:
- long 10 Gb/s links or bundled in large bundles, to a server, network storage or between floors;
- a new building where cables will be buried in walls or conduits and will be difficult to replace;
- a project where a 10 Gb/s device is already planned in the medium term.
A link is Cat6A only if all its components are: cable, outlets, patch panel and cords. A single Cat6 component brings the channel back to category 6.
Reference prices for a cable coil
Prices are excl. VAT. The prices on the asloitech.com store date from 06/11/2026 and are valid according to availability.
| Cable in coil | Price in DA HT | Price per meter (calculation) | Origin of the price |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-Link UTP Cat6A PVC 24 AWG 500 MHz, 305 m | 35 000 | 35,000 ÷ 305 ≈ 115 DA | Store, in stock |
| Newtech FTP Cat6 LSZH 23 AWG, 300 m | 34 500 | 34,500 ÷ 300 = 115 DA | Store, in stock |
| D-Link FTP Cat6 24 AWG PVC, 305 m | 42 700 | 42,700 ÷ 305 = 140 DA | Store, out of stock at pickup |
| Newtech FTP Cat6A 23 AWG, 300 m | 28 500 | 28,500 ÷ 300 = 95 DA | Store, out of stock at pickup |
| D-Link UTP Cat6, 305 m | 27 500 | 27,500 ÷ 305 ≈ 90 DA | Order of magnitude observed on our quotes (median) |
Reading the table. At equal brand, Cat6A UTP (35,000 DA HT) costs 7,500 DA HT more than Cat6 UTP (27,500 DA HT), about 27 % (7,500 ÷ 27,500). Shielding weighs more than the category: Cat6 FTP of the same brand (42,700 DA HT) costs 15,200 DA HT more than Cat6 UTP (42,700 – 27,500), versus 7,500 DA HT more to switch to Cat6A UTP. For the cost of a full point, see the guide on the price of an RJ45 point.
Screen, sheath and conductor: read the datasheet carefully
| Designation | Definition | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| U/UTP ("UTP") | Four unshielded twisted pairs | Offices without strong interference sources |
| F/UTP ("FTP") | A general foil shield around the four pairs | Rooms with motors, transformers or power cables nearby; the shield must be grounded |
| S/FTP (often called "STP") | Each pair individually shielded, plus a common braid | Highly disturbed environments; the shield must be grounded |
| LSZH | Halogen‑free conduit with low smoke emission (not a shield) | Technical conduits and false ceilings in occupied rooms, per the specification and fire safety requirements |
Manufacturers use FTP, STP or S/FTP variably: read the full designation. A poorly grounded screen adds nothing and can degrade the link. Cat6A cable is available unshielded (UTP) or shielded.
Also check the conductor material. A category 6 or 6A cable must have copper conductors. Galvanized aluminium (CCA) has higher electrical resistance, does not meet TIA‑568 and ISO/IEC 11801 requirements, and causes problems with PoE. We advise against CCA for any PoE link or permanent wiring, whether embedded or not. A CCA cable is identified by the “CCA” marking in its designation, and often at a price much lower than that of a coil of the same category: this price should alert you. For permanent wiring, choose a Cat6 or Cat6A coil from a brand listed above (D‑Link, Newtech) and request its datasheet to confirm copper conductors. Excluding CCA cables and excluding patch cords of 0.5 – 1 m, the 06/11/2026 survey shows only coils of 300 or 305 m: for a custom cut length, request a quote.
Installation: what changes with Cat6A
The connector remains RJ45, but the jacks and patch panel must be rated for Cat6A. The cable is larger and stiffer: it fills conduits more and has a greater bend radius. If shielded, the screen is grounded at the panel and jacks. After installation, the cable is tested to its category limits, up to 500 MHz for Cat6A.
We do not publish labor rates per point: it depends on the route, building and number of points. It is quoted in a proposal after a visit.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cat6A mandatory for PoE CCTV?
No. PoE works on Cat5e, Cat6 or Cat6A up to 100 m. The available power depends on the switch’s PoE standard (802.3af: 15.4 W per port max, 802.3at: 30 W, 802.3bt: 60 or 90 W) and the total PoE budget advertised by the switch, not on cable category. The number of cameras is calculated by adding their wattage from their datasheet and comparing it to the switch’s PoE budget. The cable absorbs a small amount of power: in 802.3af, an appliance receives at most 12.95 W for 15.4 W delivered. For very large high‑power PoE bundles, cable heating becomes a criterion: ask the manufacturer’s datasheet. See also the guide Wi‑Fi or wired PoE camera and our page CCTV.
Can I mix Cat6 and Cat6A in the same network?
Yes. Both use RJ45, and each link negotiates its speed with the devices it connects. However a link is limited by its weakest component: a Cat6A cable plugged into Cat6 jacks gives a Cat6 channel. Reserve Cat6A for links that need it, such as those serving a server.
How long will Cat6 remain sufficient?
We cannot give a duration: it depends on your equipment. Cat6 supports 1, 2.5 and 5 Gb/s over 100 m and 10 Gb/s on short links. If no 10 Gb/s equipment is planned, it remains suitable. If your project requires it, install Cat6A from the start to avoid running cables twice.
Should a shielded cable be chosen?
Not by default. An unshielded cable is adequate in a normal office. Shielding is justified near sources of interference (motors, transformers, power cables) and only if it is correctly grounded end‑to‑end.
To estimate your cabling, read the guide price of an RJ45 point, then network rack to organize cable arrivals. To connect two buildings, see fiber or copper; to separate cameras and offices, VLAN; for a camera installation, CCTV IP in PoE. Request a technical visit via our page network and cabling or check the network store.