What is the data rate capability of a Cat 6 cable?

Cat 6 cables are designed to handle higher frequencies and data rates than their predecessors, such as Cat 5 and Cat 5e cables. Specifically, Cat 6 supports data rates of up to 1 Gbps (Gigabit per second) over a distance of up to 100 meters. This capability is particularly important for networks that require high bandwidth for applications like streaming video, online gaming, and large file transfers.

In addition, Cat 6 can support even higher speeds—up to 10 Gbps—over shorter distances (up to 55 meters), which makes it a versatile option for modern networking needs. The reference to 1 Gbps in this context is critical as it signifies the maximum data transfer rate supported for standard distances within an Ethernet network using this type of cable. This performance level aligns well with the requirements of gigabit networking environments commonly used in business and home networking settings today.