Structured Cabling Systems (SCS)

Apex Communication Technologies installs structured cabling systems including Cat 6, Cat 6A, and optical fibre horizontal and backbone cabling, data room infrastructure, and comms room fit-outs for commercial, government, healthcare, education, and industrial clients in Adelaide and across South Australia. Apex is ECASS accredited for structured cabling work.

Structured cabling services:

1. Cat 6 and Cat 6A horizontal cabling (wall plates to patch panels)
2. Optical fibre backbone cabling (floor to floor and building to building)
3. Data room and comms room fit-outs
4. Patch panel and rack installation
5. Cable management and labelling
6. Cable testing and certification to Australian standards

For a quote on a structured cabling project in Adelaide or elsewhere in South Australia, call 08 8374 4500 or use the contact form at apexcomms.com.au.

Structured cabling installation costs in Adelaide vary by cable length, number of data points, building type, cable category (Cat 6 versus Cat 6A), and comms room requirements. A small office fitout of 20 data points will cost considerably less than a full commercial floor with 100 points and a new comms room rack installation.

Structured cabling cost factors:

• Number of data points required
• Cable category (Cat 6, Cat 6A, or fibre)
• Building type and access conditions
• Cable run lengths from comms room to desk
• Patch panel and rack infrastructure in the comms room
• Testing and certification to TIA or ISO standards

Apex-confirmed cost ranges for structured cabling in Adelaide:

• Cat 6: approximately $125–$250 per data point
• Cat 6A: approximately $150–$300 per data point
• Fibre data point: approximately $300–$500+ per outlet
• Small commercial installation: $2,000–$5,000
• Medium commercial installation: $5,000–$20,000
• Large commercial installation: $20,000–$100,000+

Call 08 8374 4500 for a site-specific quote or submit an enquiry through apexcomms.com.au.

Apex Communication Technologies installs Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6A, and optical fibre structured cabling. For new installations, Cat 6A is the current standard recommended by TIA-568 for most commercial applications, supporting 10 Gigabit Ethernet at up to 100 metres. Optical fibre is used for backbone runs and high-speed connections between comms rooms.

Cable categories and their applications:

• Cat 5e: Legacy installations only. Not recommended for new builds.
• Cat 6: Supports Gigabit Ethernet to 100m. Adequate for most general office applications.
• Cat 6A: Supports 10GbE to 100m. Recommended for new commercial installations.
• OM3/OM4 fibre: Multi-mode fibre for short backbone runs within a campus.
• OS2 fibre: Single-mode fibre for longer campus backbone runs.

Contact Apex at 08 8374 4500 to discuss the right cable specification for a project.

A structured cabling installation with Apex Communication Technologies follows a clear process from scope agreement through to certified handover. The process covers design, installation, testing, and documentation, with client sign-off at each stage.

The typical structured cabling installation process:

1. Site survey and scope agreement
2. Cable pathway design and material specification
3. Comms room and patch panel layout design
4. Cabling installation (wall plates, cable runs, terminations, patch panels)
5. Cable management, labelling, and identification
6. Testing to TIA or ISO standards
7. Test report generation and client handover

Apex Communication Technologies provides full as-built documentation and test certificates at project completion. Call 08 8374 4500 to discuss the process for a specific project.

Well-installed structured cabling typically outlasts most of the equipment it connects. A Cat 6A or fibre cabling installation built to current standards, properly managed and protected, has a practical lifespan of 20 or more years. The cabling itself is rarely the reason a network needs to be upgraded.

The main risks to cabling lifespan:

• Poor installation quality (sharp bends, kinks, damaged terminations)
• Physical damage during fit-outs or office moves
• Overheating in unmanaged cable pathways
• Water damage in poorly sealed comms rooms

Apex Communication Technologies follows installation standards that protect long-term performance, and provides test certificates at handover to document the baseline. Call 08 8374 4500 to discuss the expected lifespan for a specific installation.

Yes. Apex Communication Technologies installs structured cabling for data centres and server rooms, including high-density fibre distribution, patch panel infrastructure, and cable management systems designed for hot-aisle or cold-aisle configurations. Data centre cabling requires a higher degree of organisation and labelling than standard office cabling, and Apex’s documentation process reflects that. For a data centre or server room cabling project in Adelaide or South Australia, call 08 8374 4500, email admin@apexcomms.com.au, or contact the team through apexcomms.com.au.

Yes. Apex Communication Technologies tests all structured cabling installations to TIA-568 or ISO 11801 standards using calibrated test equipment, with test certificates provided as part of project handover. Testing confirms every cable run meets the performance specification for its category, and the test reports serve as a baseline for future maintenance and troubleshooting.

What structured cabling testing covers:

• Wire map (correct termination at both ends)
• Length measurement
• Attenuation and return loss
• NEXT and FEXT (near-end and far-end crosstalk)
• Pass/fail result per cable run at the specified category

Test certificates include equipment calibration dates and are provided in digital and printed format. Call 08 8374 4500 or contact Apex through apexcomms.com.au for more information.

Cat 6 supports Gigabit Ethernet at 100 metres and 10 Gigabit Ethernet at up to 37 metres. Cat 6A extends 10GbE support to the full 100-metre channel length, which is the current standard for commercial installations. For most new office or commercial builds in Adelaide, Cat 6A is the right choice. The upfront cost difference between Cat 6 and Cat 6A is modest compared to the cost of recabling later.

Key differences:

• Cat 6: Supports up to 1GbE at 100m or 10GbE at up to 37m. Smaller diameter cable.
• Cat 6A: Supports 10GbE at 100m. Heavier, larger diameter cable with better alien crosstalk protection.
• Installation note: Cat 6A requires slightly more space in cable pathways and around bends.

Apex Communication Technologies will specify the right cable category for a project during the design phase. Call 08 8374 4500 to discuss.