What is Category 5?

Category 5 cable, commonly referred to as Cat 5, is a twisted pair cable type used for data transmission. It's commonly used in Ethernet computer networks and for carrying other signals such as telephony and video. Cat 5 cables are designed for frequencies up to 100 MHz and are typically used for speeds up to 100 Mbps. While largely superseded by Cat 5e and Cat 6 for newer installations, it can still be found in older existing networks.