What is the minimum grade of UTP cable acceptable for new telecommunications installations?

The minimum grade of UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cable acceptable for new telecommunications installations is Category 6. This category of cable supports higher data rates and bandwidth than lower categories such as Category 5, making it a more suitable choice for modern networking requirements. Category 6 cables can handle speeds up to 1 Gbps over distances of up to 100 meters and are designed to meet the increasing demands of today’s high-speed internet and data applications. The standards for telecommunications infrastructure often encourage or require the use of Category 6 as it provides better performance and future-proofing for networks, supporting more advanced technologies and applications.