A Copper Alliance Member
Copper Industry Group Applauds New FCC Wiring Standard
February 15, 2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Copper Development Association Acknowledges Government Effort to Ensure Quality Wiring Installations to Support Broadband Telecommunications Services
NEW YORK — The Copper Development Association
Inc. voiced approval today of new standards set by the Federal
Communications Commission for telephone wiring installed inside
homes and other buildings. The new rule requires that when copper
wiring is installed for telecommunications applications, at a
minimum it must be solid, 24 AWG or thicker, twisted pairs, marked
to indicate
compliance with specifications for Category 3, as defined by
ANSI/EIA/TIA Building Wiring Standards. The standard applies to
both new construction
and retrofit installations.
"
CDA applauds the FCC's effort to encourage builders to install quality
wiring to ensure that consumers have access to widely available communications
services," said William T. Black, Copper Development Association vice president,
wire and cable. "The new standard will benefit consumers as carriers deploy
broadband services that are more demanding than traditional voice telecommunications," said
Black, referring to the surge in the number of phone lines to accommodate
Internet and fax connections, as well as developing technologies such
as high-speed data transmission, computer networking and video services.
Category 3 and other, higher-speed cables such as Category 5 and Category
5E, consist of four twisted pairs of solid copper wire in a configuration
that facilitates installation of multiple phone and fax lines. These advanced
cables are also used for networking computers. The practical effect is
to speed transmission and reduce static, cross-talk and degradation of
signals-all common problems with old-style cable designed for analog voice
service, especially when installed in close proximity to other wiring.
Black pointed out that the process leading to publication of the new
standard began more than four years ago. He said, "Today Cat 5 copper
communications wiring is the recognized minimum for broadband services,
with more than
six times the capacity of Cat 3. Cat 5E is becoming the new standard.
Any of the Cat 5 or better cables have capacity and speed several times
greater
than needed for today's high-speed Internet services, such as DSL and
cable modems. Installing the more advanced cables now provides a comfortable
cushion for the future.
"
And we know now that communications systems work best when they're installed
in a 'home run' setup," Black advised, referring to a wiring configuration
in which each phone jack is wired directly to a hub or central distribution
device rather than connected in series.
"
We're pleased to have CDA's support for the new ruling," said Ronald
Provost, governmental relations representative for BICSI, a not-for-profit
professional
association for designers and installers of telecommunications systems.
BICSI first petitioned the FCC to develop new requirements in response
to complaints from consumers and carriers about inadequate cabling installed
to support telecommunications systems. Provost chaired the FCC Ad Hoc
Administrative Committee that developed the rule for telecommunications
cable.
"
Now that we've succeeded in setting a new minimum requirement, we've got
to get the word out. CDA will be an influential voice in the market," Provost
said.
"
Installers, builders, remodelers and consumers should take note that the
new FCC rule specifies Category 3 wiring or better," said Black. "The
emphasis should be on better. The more advanced wiring offers incremental
performance
benefits at little or no additional cost. And people shouldn't hesitate
to install phone jacks now wherever they think they might need them in
the future-wherever they or the next family that owns their home might
want to plug in a laptop or other communications device."
The FCC's new rules apply to installations made on or after July 8, 2000.
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