VoIP Cabling Requirements

What are the VoIP Cabling Requirements when installing a new phone system?

When planning for a new telephone system installation, the first consideration should be the infrastructure. Therefore, what data cabling do I currently have, or what VoIP cabling requirements will I need?

VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is simply the transmission of voice communication over a data network, such as the Internet.

We discuss what VoIP is in more detail in this article https://www.nmcabling.co.uk/2020/10/what-is-voip/

We have also described how VoIP works here. https://www.nmcabling.co.uk/2020/11/how-does-voip-work/

With a new installation, this is straightforward. Thus, you can have a new cabling design and installation to suit the new VoIP phone system. However, with existing data cabling, confusion can arise.

In this case, there may be existing cabling, but it’s not suitable for several reasons.

1. The existing data cabling is a legacy phone cable (Such as BT) and is not suitable for data transmission.
2. There is existing data cabling, but its installation quality is not suitable for VoIP. (VoIP requires a quality of service)
3. There are not enough ports for the required telephones.
4. The structured cabling is not centralised and therefore unable to be controlled by the new phone switches.

In brief, where these situations are present, a new data cabling installation or upgrade is required.

We undertook such testing for a client in Marylebone before they purchased their new VoIP system

What should I plan for VoIP cabling requirements?

VoIP telephones require a data cable to each phone, originating from a data cabinet with access to a data switch. To this end, the telephone switch hardware is installed in the data cabinets throughout a building, and the phones can be wired to any switch as long as they are linked.

The data cabling can be any category from Cat5e to higher. Cat5e and Cat6a are the standard choices for 1-gigabit transmission speeds. Furthermore, 10-gigabit transmission starts with Cat6a and above. However, 1 gigabit is more than adequate for VoIP transmission.

The cabling installation must be of professional quality. VoIP requires a quality of service (QoS) to enable uninterrupted call quality. Indeed, unlike WiFi or PC data transmission, VoIP will result in poor quality or dropouts with poorly installed data cabling. With the PCs, it might just result in slow loading or a drop-out of a hardly noticeable web page. However, on a phone, it can be an echo, buzzing, or a lost call. In short, all very frustrating and potentially costly if losing potential customers.

You may have existing cabling and not be sure if it’s suitable for VoIP.

We discuss this further in this article. https://www.nmcabling.co.uk/2019/04/can-i-use-voip-over-my-existing-data-cabling-network/

Elements of a suitable data cabling installation for VoIP

For the most part, the following elements should be part of a VoIP cabling installation.

• A minimum of Cat5e with Cat6 and Cat6a preferred if scaling for higher speeds.
• Installed with a well-known cabling brand
  • Many installations use generic, cheaper cabling systems, which fail over time.
• Installed onto Patch Panels inside a designated cabinet or set of cabinets
  • Avoid terminating cabling at the ends with plugs and plugging them straight into switches. These fail over time
• Terminated into designated outlet boxes
• A dedicated cable for each telephone
• Installed in correct containment and away from electrical cabling and interference
  • Electrical interference will cause noise and dropouts on the calls
• Tested with a Fluke DSX or similar, and full test results supplied.
  • Without these, you will not know whether the cabling meets the required standard and is suitable for VoIP use.

The elements above should all be part of any data cabling installation. However, in many fit-out cases, the correct specialists are not used, and without these, the problems are only found later when you move in.

Evaluating Existing Structured Cabling, Service and Maintenance

When you have existing data cabling in place, you can perform similar checks to assess suitability. In this case, you would want to ensure the following

• Check that there is enough cabling for each of your new phones.
• Ensure that the existing cabling is Cat5e or above
• Test your existing cabling with a Fluke DSX or similar

The test results will show if the existing cabling meets the required standard for all data transmission. In the event of any failure, the cabling will need to be replaced to ensure good telephone performance.

VoIP Installation Service – Free Surveys and Advice

If you are considering having a VoIP system, you can see more information on Voice & Data systems here. We can provide advice and free surveys on any cabling requirements for a new phone system. In addition, we can test your existing data cabling. Furthermore, we would produce a report of suitability for those data cables

For further articles with regards to VoIP cabling requirements please visit our Knowledge Centre HERE

For a Free Quotation please email [email protected] or call 01923 888588