Cat 6A, Cat 7 or FTTO fibre: which is right for a multi-site network?

Across 10, 50 or 200 sites, your cabling choice shapes operations for 15 to 20 years. The right choice is not the most expensive one: it is the one that fits usage, distances and how your sites evolve.

Cat 6A: the reference standard. Certified up to 500 MHz, it carries 10 Gbit/s over 100 m and powers Wi-Fi access points, cameras, screens and lighting via PoE. Universal RJ45 connectors and compatibility with all equipment make it the default for stores, branches and offices.

Cat 7: more headroom, same limits. Individually shielded pairs, specified up to 600 MHz (Class F), highly resistant to electromagnetic interference. But distance is still 100 m, and with RJ45 outlets real link performance matches Cat 6A. It is mainly justified in noisy environments: warehouses, workshops, industrial sites.

FTTO fibre: fibre to the office. Fibre runs from the main rack to mini-switches placed close to where devices are used, which then distribute over copper. It removes the 100 m limit and reduces floor racks and cable volume: ideal for large stores, warehouses and extended buildings.

How to decide? Under 100 m between rack and outlets: Cat 6A. Electrically noisy environment: shielded Cat 7. Long distances, large floors or several buildings: FTTO, often combined with copper for the last metre. In every case, plan spare outlets for future connected devices.

The real multi-site challenge: standardisation. The same cabling standard, labelling and acceptance testing on every site simplify maintenance and future rollouts. Every link installed by Avenir Infra is certified, measured and documented, with shared photos and reports.

Planning a rollout or a refurbishment of your sites? Our engineers design the right infrastructure, site by site, before any work begins.