OSP CAT 6A
When 10 Gigabit performance is required beyond the building perimeter, iFiber Optix's OSP CAT 6A Outside Plant Cables deliver full 10GBASE-T capability in a rugged, weather-hardened construction built for the harshest outdoor environments — UV exposure, ground moisture, extreme temperatures, and everything in between.
Purpose-built for aerial, conduit, and direct-burial installations, OSP CAT 6A is the go-to choice for campus backbone upgrades, outdoor 10G wireless infrastructure, and any outdoor copper run where high performance and environmental resilience must coexist.
OSP CAT 6A Outside Plant Cables
Our OSP CAT 6A Cables are engineered for installations requiring 10G copper performance in fully outdoor or transitional environments. Featuring a UV-resistant polyethylene jacket, advanced water-blocking technology, and 23 AWG solid bare copper conductors, these cables meet ANSI/TIA-568.2-D Category 6A specifications while withstanding the environmental stresses that would destroy standard patch cables within months.
From rooftop wireless AP runs to campus inter-building 10G backbones and underground conduit pulls, OSP CAT 6A brings data center-grade copper performance to outdoor infrastructure — tested and rated for -40°C to +70°C operation.
Technical Specifications
All iFiber Optix OSP CAT 6A cables are manufactured and tested to meet or exceed the following performance and environmental specifications.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Cable Type | OSP CAT 6A Outside Plant |
| Conductor Type | 23 AWG Solid Bare Copper |
| Jacket Material | UV-Resistant Polyethylene (PE) — Black |
| Moisture Protection | Gel-Filled (Flooded Core) or Water-Swellable Tape |
| Performance Standard | ANSI/TIA-568.2-D Category 6A |
| Transmission Speed | 10GBASE-T (10 Gigabit Ethernet) |
| Bandwidth | Tested up to 500 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +70°C (-40°F to +158°F) |
| Installation Types | Aerial, Duct, and Direct Burial |
| Compliance | ANSI/TIA-568.2-D, RoHS Compliant |
Example use case: 10G campus backbone link running through underground conduit between two buildings — OSP CAT 6A's flooded core and PE jacket maintain full 10GBASE-T performance across the entire outdoor span despite ground moisture, seasonal freeze-thaw cycles, and wide temperature swings year-round.
Key Features
- 10G / 500 MHz Performance Fully compliant with ANSI/TIA-568.2-D Category 6A — supporting 10GBASE-T at up to 100 meters, tested to 500 MHz. The outdoor step up from OSP CAT 6's 1G capability for deployments where 10G is required at every port.
- UV-Resistant PE Jacket Black polyethylene outer jacket prevents cracking, brittleness, and surface degradation from prolonged UV exposure — maintaining jacket integrity across years of direct outdoor deployment without deterioration.
- Water-Blocking Technology Gel-filled (flooded core) or water-swellable tape prevents moisture migration along the cable core, protecting copper conductors from corrosion and maintaining signal integrity even if the jacket is compromised at any point along the run.
- Extreme Temperature Range Rated -40°C to +70°C — engineered to maintain 10G electrical performance and jacket flexibility through freeze-thaw cycles, summer heat, and the full range of outdoor climate conditions encountered in permanent outdoor installations.
- Versatile Installation Options One cable type covers aerial strand, conduit/duct, and direct-burial installation methods — no separate product SKUs per installation method, simplifying procurement and inventory across multi-method outdoor projects.
- PoE & PoE++ Capable 23 AWG solid copper conductors efficiently carry PoE (802.3af), PoE+ (802.3at), and PoE++ (802.3bt) power levels over outdoor runs — powering outdoor wireless APs, PTZ cameras, and PoE devices without a separate power cable.
Ideal Applications
OSP CAT 6A is the right cable wherever 10G copper performance is required outside the building envelope — from campus backbones to rooftop wireless and high-resolution surveillance infrastructure.
10G Campus Backbones
Underground conduit runs between buildings carrying 10GBASE-T switch-to-switch links — OSP CAT 6A delivers 10G copper performance on inter-building spans where fiber termination cost is a concern.
Outdoor 10G Wireless APs
Rooftop and pole-mounted 10G wireless access points, sector antennas, and point-to-point bridges — OSP CAT 6A delivers both 10G data and PoE++ power to outdoor wireless hardware in a single cable run.
High-Resolution IP Cameras
4K and multi-megapixel IP camera installations on building exteriors and perimeter fencing — where higher-bandwidth video streams push beyond 1G CAT 6 capability and require full CAT 6A throughput.
Direct-Burial 10G Runs
Gel-filled flooded core resists ground moisture and soil pressure for direct-burial 10G runs — connecting remote buildings and perimeter structures without conduit cost where soil conditions permit.
Industrial & Utility Networks
10G copper infrastructure in outdoor manufacturing yards, substations, and utility facilities — where the wide temperature rating and rugged PE jacket handle environmental extremes standard cable cannot survive.
Government & Municipal Projects
Smart city infrastructure, traffic systems, and municipal campus networks requiring 10G outdoor copper — with RoHS compliance and GSA contract availability for direct government procurement.
How to Choose the Right OSP CAT 6A Configuration
Two key decisions define your OSP CAT 6A specification — moisture protection type and installation method. Use this guide to arrive at the right configuration for your outdoor deployment.
Gel-Fill vs. Water-Swellable Tape
Gel-filled (flooded core) provides maximum moisture protection — the right choice for direct-burial and high-exposure aerial runs where long-term jacket integrity cannot be guaranteed. Water-swellable tape is cleaner to terminate and preferred for conduit installations where moisture exposure is controlled.
Select Installation Method
Direct burial: trench without conduit in appropriate soil conditions — confirm local NEC burial depth requirements. Aerial: pair with messenger wire or lash-rated variant for self-supporting spans. Conduit: standard configuration pulls cleanly through any conduit — confirm fill ratio before pulling.
Plan Your Termination Points
OSP cable must transition to indoor-rated cable or terminate into an outdoor-rated enclosure at each building entry point. Budget for weatherproof patch panels or OSP-to-indoor transition boxes at both ends — OSP PE jacket is not rated for indoor use per NEC.
OSP CAT 6A vs. OSP CAT 6
1G sufficient for your outdoor devices? OSP CAT 6 (250 MHz) is the cost-effective choice for standard cameras, 1G APs, and basic campus links. Specify OSP CAT 6A (500 MHz, 10G) when connecting 10GBASE-T switches, 4K surveillance, or high-bandwidth outdoor wireless infrastructure.
Why Choose iFiber Optix?
- Quality Assurance Every OSP CAT 6A cable is manufactured to ANSI/TIA-568.2-D Category 6A specifications and undergoes full electrical and environmental testing before shipment — reliable 10G performance in the field from day one.
- GSA Contract Holder iFiber Optix holds an active GSA contract, making our copper and fiber products directly available to federal, state, and local government agencies for municipal, campus, and outdoor infrastructure projects.
- Custom Configurations Available Custom reel lengths, moisture protection types (gel-fill or tape), and bulk quantities available — specified to your exact project requirements for seamless integration into new or existing outdoor 10G infrastructure.
- TAA & BABA Compliant Options Trade Agreement Act and Buy American Act compliant configurations available for government and regulated procurement — contact us to confirm compliance for your specific outdoor network project.
Request Information
Ready to spec OSP CAT 6A for your next 10G outdoor deployment? Our team can help with moisture protection selection, custom reel lengths, installation guidance, and GSA procurement.