Cat6 vs Cat6A: Which Cabling Does Your Office Need?

Every cabling quote we send gets some version of the same question: "why is Cat6A more expensive, and do we actually need it?" Here's the honest answer, without the marketing spin.

The core difference

Both Cat6 and Cat6A carry Gigabit Ethernet without issue. The real difference shows up at 10 Gigabit speeds and over distance: Cat6 can handle 10Gbps only up to about 55 metres before signal quality drops off, while Cat6A holds 10Gbps reliably up to the full 100-metre run length most offices need. Cat6A cable is also thicker and has better shielding against interference from other cables running alongside it.

Three questions that actually decide it

1. Will you need 10Gbps within the cable's lifespan?

Cabling isn't something you redo every two years — a well-installed run should last 10-15 years. If there's any realistic chance you'll want 10Gbps to desks (video production, large file transfers, growing server needs), Cat6A avoids a future re-cabling job.

2. How long are your cable runs?

In a small office where your wiring closet is close to every desk, Cat6's distance limitation at high speeds matters less. In a larger floor plate or multi-floor building with longer runs, Cat6A's extra headroom is worth more. Past a certain distance neither copper grade is the answer — on our three-acre Alibaug estate the long legs went to fibre and the copper runs were kept short on purpose.

3. What's actually running next to your cabling?

If your cable trays run near heavy electrical equipment, lighting ballasts, or bundles of other cabling, Cat6A's better shielding reduces interference-related issues down the line.

Our honest default

For a typical office doing email, video calls and standard file access, Cat6 is not a compromise — it's the right spec, and it costs less to install. We move clients to Cat6A specifically for server room connections, media/design teams, or buildings where run lengths push past what Cat6 handles comfortably at higher speeds. Either way the spec is decided during the cable-run design, before anything is drilled.