Fibre optic: the basis of every higher delivery level
Almost every question about a building's digital quality starts with the same one: is there fibre optic, and how far does it reach?
Why fibre optic
Fibre optic sends data as light instead of as an electrical signal over copper. That produces two properties that matter for a building: much more data can pass through it, and the signal stays strong over greater distances.
For a building, that mainly says something about durability. Copper eventually hits a ceiling that better equipment can't remove. Fibre optic pushes that ceiling much further out, and that counts, because a building's cabling lasts longer than the equipment connected to it.
The question that's often skipped: how far?
"The building has fibre optic" can mean that the cable reaches the meter cupboard in the basement, and that it continues from there over old copper cabling to your floor. Your actual connection is never faster than the weakest section in between. That is why the IT-Label looks at the whole route, not just the connection point.
Inside the building: the cabling categories
Behind the connection lies the internal cabling. It is indicated with categories, where a higher number roughly means more capacity over a greater distance.
- CAT5e. Sufficient for basic use, but runs into limits with heavier applications. Typical for a lower delivery level.
- CAT6. The common standard for office use. Belongs with IT2 PLUG & PLAY.
- CAT6A. Higher capacity over a greater distance, with more room to grow. Belongs with IT1 HIGH PERFORMANCE and above.
- Internal fibre optic. Often used between floors or to heavy consumers, and the norm for the building's backbone at IT1+ PREMIUM.
Capacity is not the same as available capacity
A connection that looks generous on paper says little if you share it with ten other tenants. What counts is what's available for your organisation at the moment you need it, and that's precisely why the IT-Label assesses not only the specification but also the measured performance under actual load.
The same applies to what happens when the connection drops. One fibre optic cable is still one cable. See network redundancy.
Why this is more urgent now than a few years ago
The load on networks is increasing: cloud applications, video conferencing, smart building systems and the growth of AI and data processing all share the same infrastructure.
On top of that, a connection that isn't already in place can't be arranged quickly. Waiting times for new internet connections make the delivery level relevant in advance, not something you sort out after moving in.
Want to know what's already in your building?
A certified partner assesses the whole route, from connection to workplace.
How the audit worksRelated information
Knowledge base
Background on the components the IT-Label assesses: from fibre optic and WiFi coverage to Smart Building, cybersecurity and the impact of AI on real estate.
Network redundancy
Redundancy means there is a second route if the first one fails. Why that's no longer a luxury for many organisations, and how the IT-Label looks at it.
Cloud connectivity
Once your applications run in the cloud, what makes a good connection changes. Latency and stability start to matter more than raw bandwidth.
The IT-Label for office buildings
Office tenants set the highest demands on connectivity. The IT-Label shows whether your office building meets them.