Top 3 Highlights in the Low Voltage Cabling Industry So Far This Year – And What IT Teams Should Do About It
The low voltage cabling industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, driven by advancements in networking, smart building infrastructure, and increasing demands for higher bandwidth. For IT professionals, staying up-to-date with these trends is critical for designing and managing efficient, future-ready network infrastructures. Here are the top three highlights from the low voltage cabling industry so far this year, along with practical recommendations for IT teams looking to implement these technologies effectively.
1. The Rise of Category 6A as the New Standard for High-Performance Networks
The shift toward Cat 6A (Augmented Category 6) is accelerating, particularly in enterprise and commercial environments. With Wi-Fi 6/6E adoption growing and Wi-Fi 7 on the horizon, networks require cabling capable of 10 Gbps speeds, higher Power over Ethernet (PoE) capacities, and improved shielding to reduce interference.
Key Industry Statistics:
- Wi-Fi 6 and 6E adoption is projected to reach 58% of all enterprise deployments by 2025 (IDC).
- The global structured cabling market, including Cat 6A solutions, is expected to reach $14.3 billion by 2028, growing at a 7.4% CAGR (MarketsandMarkets).
- Nearly 70% of new enterprise network installations in 2024 are opting for Cat 6A (BICSI).
Recommendations for IT Teams:
✅ Standardize Cat 6A for New Installations: If your organization is planning infrastructure upgrades, make Cat 6A your new baseline for copper cabling to support future bandwidth needs.
✅ Assess Wi-Fi 6/6E Coverage Requirements: Conduct Wi-Fi site surveys to determine optimal access point placement and ensure cabling runs can support high-speed wireless backhaul.
✅ Future-Proof for PoE++: Ensure your switches and patch panels are PoE++ compatible to support higher-wattage devices like smart lighting, security cameras, and digital signage.Industry Insight:
"TST is seeing a major shift towards Cat 6A in new office buildings and smart facilities. The ability to deliver both high-speed data and power efficiently is a game-changer for smart building and IoT applications." -- Tim Sauer, Director of Marketing at Tech Service Today
2. Growing Demand for Fiber Optic Cabling in Enterprise Networks
Fiber optic cabling is experiencing record growth, particularly as organizations prioritize higher speeds, lower latency, and longer transmission distances. The demand is largely driven by cloud computing, AI-driven applications, and hybrid work environments that require robust backbone infrastructure.
Industry Insight:
Key Industry Statistics:
- Fiber broadband availability in the U.S. has grown by 12% annually, reaching 67 million homes in 2024 (Fiber Broadband Association).
- Singlemode fiber (OS2) is projected to dominate 80% of enterprise fiber deployments by 2026, replacing multimode fiber (OM3/OM4) in large-scale data centers.
- Fiber-to-the-Desk (FTTD) adoption has grown by 26% in enterprise workspaces (Research and Markets).
Recommendations for IT Teams:
✅ Upgrade Network Backbones to Fiber: If your core infrastructure still relies on copper-based backbones, transition to fiber to support 10G, 40G, and even 100G networking.
✅ Use Singlemode Fiber for Long-Term Scalability: For future-proofing, singlemode fiber (OS2) offers better cost efficiency and supports higher speeds at longer distances.
✅ Consider Passive Optical LAN (POL) for Large Campuses: POL simplifies fiber deployments, reducing overall cable weight and complexity while improving bandwidth efficiency.
✅ Use Singlemode Fiber for Long-Term Scalability: For future-proofing, singlemode fiber (OS2) offers better cost efficiency and supports higher speeds at longer distances.
✅ Consider Passive Optical LAN (POL) for Large Campuses: POL simplifies fiber deployments, reducing overall cable weight and complexity while improving bandwidth efficiency.
Industry Insight:
"The need for faster, more reliable connections is pushing enterprises toward fiber. We expect singlemode fiber adoption to increase as organizations future-proof their infrastructure for AI, cloud, and edge computing demands."
— Michael Fischer, Senior Network Engineer at Corning Optical Communications
— Michael Fischer, Senior Network Engineer at Corning Optical Communications
3. The Expansion of PoE (Power over Ethernet) in Smart Building Applications
Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology is experiencing widespread adoption across enterprise, healthcare, education, and smart city applications. The expansion of PoE++ (802.3bt), which delivers up to 90W of power over Ethernet cables, has significantly increased the range of supported devices, including LED lighting, security systems, smart access controls, and even HVAC.
Key Industry Statistics:
- The PoE market is projected to grow from $1.2 billion in 2023 to $2.9 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 13.7% (Market Research Future).
- By 2026, 60% of all smart building devices will rely on PoE-powered connectivity (Frost & Sullivan).
- Healthcare and education sectors are leading PoE adoption, with a 38% increase in PoE-driven smart infrastructure installations (Deloitte).
Recommendations for IT Teams:
✅ Ensure PoE-Ready Network Infrastructure: Deploy PoE-compatible switches and patch panels to maximize device connectivity.
✅ Implement PoE for Cost-Effective Smart Building Upgrades: If your organization is considering smart lighting, access control, or security systems, PoE eliminates the need for separate power wiring, reducing costs.
✅ Monitor PoE Power Budgets: When deploying multiple high-power PoE devices (e.g., LED lighting + security cameras + Wi-Fi 6 APs), ensure switch capacity can handle power draw without exceeding limits.
✅ Implement PoE for Cost-Effective Smart Building Upgrades: If your organization is considering smart lighting, access control, or security systems, PoE eliminates the need for separate power wiring, reducing costs.
✅ Monitor PoE Power Budgets: When deploying multiple high-power PoE devices (e.g., LED lighting + security cameras + Wi-Fi 6 APs), ensure switch capacity can handle power draw without exceeding limits.
Industry Insight:
"PoE is transforming how buildings are designed. From intelligent lighting to security and environmental monitoring, low voltage cabling is becoming the foundation of modern smart buildings."
— Lisa Thornton, VP of IoT Infrastructure at Panduit
— Lisa Thornton, VP of IoT Infrastructure at Panduit
Final Thoughts & Next Steps for IT Teams:
The low voltage cabling industry is undergoing significant transformation, with Cat 6A, fiber optics, and PoE advancements shaping the future of IT infrastructure. As enterprises prioritize high-speed, high-efficiency, and scalable networks, IT professionals must take a proactive approach to implementation.
Next Steps for IT Professionals:
✔ Audit Your Current Cabling Infrastructure: Assess if your network can handle increasing bandwidth and device connectivity demands.
✔ Develop a Long-Term Cabling Strategy: Invest in Cat 6A, fiber optics, and PoE-capable hardware to support digital transformation efforts.
✔ Stay Up-to-Date on Standards: Follow updates from TIA, IEEE, and BICSI to ensure compliance with the latest cabling and networking standards.
✔ Plan for AI & IoT Growth: Future networks will require higher density, lower latency, and greater automation—ensure your cabling is ready to support it.
Would you like a consultation on upgrading your cabling infrastructure? Let’s discuss how these trends could impact your organization’s network strategy. Click on CONTACT US below to start the conversation.
And check back next month for more news and advancements.
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