--- title: "Structured data cabling, Cat6 and Cat6A — MCI Electrical" description: "Cat6 and Cat6A data cabling in Eastleigh and Southampton by David McInnes at MCI Electrical. Professional network outlet and patch panel installation." canonical: "https://mci-electrical.co.uk/services/structured-data-cabling" last_updated: "2026-08-11T12:10:56.913Z" --- # Structured data cabling, Cat6 and Cat6A — MCI Electrical > Cat6 and Cat6A data cabling in Eastleigh and Southampton by David McInnes at MCI Electrical. Professional network outlet and patch panel installation. Need reliable data cabling for desks, access points, phones or connected equipment? MCI Electrical installs structured network cabling with practical routes, labelled outlets and tidy terminations for commercial premises. The service covers offices, shops, warehouses and business units across Eastleigh, Whiteley and Southampton. ## How this is priced The price follows how many points you need and how the cable has to get there. Quotes are free, there is no callout fee, and a brand new route across the building is priced once I have looked at it. - Structured data cabling (Cat6 / Cat6A): £420 for up to 4 outlets, then £95 per additional outlet. - Covers supply and installation of Cat6 or Cat6A cable, RJ45 faceplates, and patch panel terminations. - Assumes accessible ceiling voids or existing containment routes across the work area. - Excludes active network switches, routers, and cabinet power supply additions unless specified. ## What a structured install actually involves A structured install means every point is wired the same way, back to one cabinet, and labelled at both ends. That is what lets anyone find a fault later in minutes rather than tracing cables around the building. - **Containment and cable routing:** Data cables need separation from mains power cables to avoid interference. In business parks like Solent Business Park or Chandler's Ford Industrial Estate, cables run through dedicated trunking, basket tray, or ceiling voids. - **Termination and patch panels:** Each run connects from an RJ45 wall outlet to a central patch panel inside a data rack. Proper termination maintains category speeds and prevents loose connections in busy offices or trade counters. - **Testing and verification:** Every installed outlet is tested with standard verification tools to check wire map, length, and continuity before handover. ## What is and is not included It covers the cable runs, the faceplates, the terminations in your cabinet and a test on every point. Switches and routers are not included unless we agree that up front. ### Included - Installation of Cat6 or Cat6A network cables from rack to outlet - Fitting RJ45 single or double modules and faceplates - Termination onto patch panels in your network cabinet - Wiremap testing and labeling of every network port - Fitting surface trunking where cable paths are exposed ### Not included - Supply or setup of switches, routers, and firewalls - IT network configuration, IP address assignment, or software setup - Civil works or ground trenching between separate buildings ## Before I arrive Before I arrive it helps to know where each point needs to land, where the cabinet lives, and whether there are areas I should stay out of during trading hours. If you need a different day, rescheduling is free. 1. **Clear access to rack locations:** Ensure space around your server cabinet or network patch frame is clear of stored boxes and furniture. 2. **Access to ceiling voids and trunking:** Identify access hatches and ensure desks beneath cable runs can be moved or accessed easily. ## What you are left with You are left with labelled points at both ends, a tidy cabinet, and a test result for every point that proves the speed you paid for. - **Test certificates:** You receive test documentation verifying wiremap, continuity, and pairing for every installed outlet. - **Labelling that matches:** Every faceplate outlet and patch panel port receives matching identification numbers so patching remains simple. - **Room to grow:** Runs and patch panels are planned to allow extra capacity when adding staff or equipment in future. - **One trade, not two:** As an electrician, David McInnes installs both containment and data cables without needing additional contractors. ## Questions I get asked The questions that come up on most cabling jobs. ### Can you install data cabling alongside existing electrical containment? I can install data cables in shared containment if there is a physical divider, or run separate trunking. Data cables must maintain adequate separation from power cables to avoid electromagnetic interference. ### What is the difference between Cat6 and Cat6A for my business? I recommend Cat6 for standard gigabit office networks up to short distances. Cat6A supports 10-Gigabit speeds over longer cable runs and provides better shielding against external crosstalk in heavy industrial environments. ### Do you supply the network cabinet and patch panels? Patch panels and module faceplates are included with the cabling installation. Cabinets can be supplied if required or connected directly into your existing rack frame. ### Is wireless networking sufficient without data cabling? Wireless access points still require structured data cabling to connect back to the main switch. Direct wired connections also offer greater stability for desktop PCs, printers, and VoIP phones. ## Business facts - Based: 1 The Drove, Horton Heath, Eastleigh, SO50 7NX - Service area: Eastleigh, Whiteley and Segensworth, Chandler's Ford, Hedge End and Botley, Southampton and the docks - Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri 09:00–17:00 - Phone: +447366896562 - Email: team@mci-electrical.co.uk - Years of experience: 17 - Pricing rules: Fixed wire testing is priced on the number of boards and circuits, not by the hour.; Emergency lighting is priced per light, and the three hour test is priced separately.; Repairs are priced item by item off the report, so you choose what to do and when.; Work outside your trading hours costs a different rate, and I tell you what it is before I set off.; Quotes are free, rescheduling is free, and there is no callout fee. ## Request a quote - [Start a request](https://mci-electrical.co.uk/#chat): Send the job details and postcode to MCI Electrical. ## Related pages - [CCTV installation](https://mci-electrical.co.uk/services/cctv-installation): Commercial CCTV installation. - [Shop fit out electrical](https://mci-electrical.co.uk/services/shop-fit-out-electrical): Shop fit out electrician, commercial. - [LED lighting upgrade for offices](https://mci-electrical.co.uk/services/led-lighting-upgrade-offices): LED lighting upgrade for offices. - [Full sitemap](https://mci-electrical.co.uk/sitemap.md): Complete machine-readable page directory.