Cat7, the Cable Nobody Was Asking For.

Despite the many recent advancements in networking technology, Cat7 ethernet cables have not seen widespread adoption in homes and businesses. There’s several reasons behind this lack of adoption, ranging from high cost, to compatibility issues and the actual needs of users.

One of the main reasons is the cost associated with Cat7 cables. They’re significantly more expensive than Cat6 and Cat6a. For most homes and businesses, the cost-benefit ratio does not justify the upgrade. The majority of users simply don’t require the high speed and massive bandwidth that Cat7 cables offer. This makes the exorbitant price rather hard to justify, the ROI is simply not there. When upgrading an entire network, the costs quickly add up, especially when the additional expenses for compatible networking equipment are added into the equation.

Speaking of compatibility, this is another crucial factor. Cat7 cables require connectors and hardware that are not found in most current networking setups. Most existing hardware is designed to be compatible with Cat5 and Cat6 cables. Consequently upgrading to Cat7 involves replacing not just the cables but also switches, routers, and other networking devices. Users lack of adoption leads me to believe the inconvenience and additional expense are not worth the performance gains.

Also, the performance improvements offered by Cat7 cables won’t be as noticeable for the average user. Cat7 cables are designed for environments that require extremely high data transfer rates, like large data centers and large-scale enterprise networks. Most home networks and small businesses simply don’t require the 10 Gbps speeds that Cat7 offers. In fact the average internet speed provided by most ISPs even in 1st world countries is far below what Cat7 cables can handle, meaning that the extra capacity simply goes unused. It’s like using a Ferrari to do the school run, the impressive acceleration and high speed are not required.

There’s also a significant amount of inertia when it comes to upgrading networking infrastructure. Many businesses and homeowners adhere to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy. As long as their current setup is functioning adequately, there is little motivation to upgrade. This is particularly true for networking, where stability and reliability are often valued more than cutting-edge performance.

The market for Cat7 cables has not seen the same level of promotion and consumer awareness as previous generations. Cat6 and Cat6a cables have become the industry standard for most new installations. This is due to the balance of performance and cost that they offer. Cat7, while superior, doesn’t offer a compelling enough advantage for the most of users to make the jump.

Technical complexity is also a factor. Cat7 cables have strict requirements for installation, including shielding to reduce crosstalk and interference. While this is beneficial, it makes installation more harder and more expensive. The need for precise installation techniques means most installers prefer to use and Cat6 cables unless they are forced by job specifications to use the newer technology.

In 2024 most networking professionals and enthusiasts opt for Cat6a cables instead of Cat7. A Cat6a patch lead provides a significant upgrade over Cat6 without the same level of compatibility and cost issues that come with Cat7.

The limited adoption of Cat7 Ethernet cables in homes and businesses really comes down to three main issues high cost, compatibility with existing hardware, and the fact that the performance benefits they offer are not necessary for most users. As a result, Cat7 cables remain a niche choice, primarily reserved for data centers where their capabilities are genuinely needed. But for the average users Cat7 is the cable no one was asking for.