We always keep on wondering why does wireless networking technology require, don’t we? Yes, they do require cabling and various kinds of fiber optic cable are needed which fiber optic cable supplier can tell.

The choices of cabling requirement are decided by looking at the type of wireless system being deployed. Enterprise WiFi systems typically use balanced twisted-pair cabling such as Category 6 or Category 6A, on the other hand, distributed antenna systems (DAS) uses coaxial cabling for mobile phone coverage like Category 6/6A or fiber cables. For most of the mobile phone coverage in smaller enterprise buildings(less than 50,000 square feet) and these are connected through fiber optic cables or Category 5e.

It is beneficial to integrate various disparate wireless solutions on one network with a common cabling infrastructure and it is recommended to be fiber or even on the same network as the one used for data in the enterprise. Disparate antenna placements like WiFi, DAS and small cell networks may have different placement areas in the map for access points like a WiFi system might have access points laid out in a grid with cells 18 meters wide. Also a high-power DAS have antennas located in cells that can be up to 200 or more meters wide. Therefore one must consult the fiber optic cable supplier before installing in the final scenario.

Wireless or not, fiber optic cable supplier consider several factors when selecting cabling systems are included within an enterprise including suitability for the application, cost, effectiveness and longevity.

Application: Firstly, you must check whether the fiber optic cable you have chosen is suitable for the cabling system of the wireless application. As wireless LANs move to 802.11ac and DAS platforms move to carrying 4G, and eventually 5G, thus, possibly more network managers will need cabling that can handle these higher data rates which is done beautifully by fiber cabling.

Cost: Twisted or copper cabling systems are lower cost than equivalent fiber systems but when the associated active equipment and installation costs are also included in the cost comparison. The comparison of fiber cabling or twisted-pair cabling must be done before the installation labor considering the longevity.

Running multiple protocols over the same cabling infrastructure is complicated but possible. Different protocols like WiFi uses CSMA/CA protocol or DAS uses digitized RF and small cells use IP/Ethernet packet data. On the network switch level, there are several factors influencing the choice of cabling. First, it depends on the technology used. Some small cell systems use the same Ethernet switch as IT, thus, running the same IT Ethernet LAN is possible using VLAN protocol. Also, since digital DAS and remote radio head (RRH) do not use Ethernet switches even though the equipment has Ethernet ports, so running over the same IT Ethernet LAN is not possible except where a bypass card is provided.