easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A small office is setting up a new VoIP phone…
A small office is setting up a new VoIP phone system. The IT staff must run new cabling to each desk. Which cable type is most appropriate for connecting VoIP phones to the network?
⚠ Common exam trap
One common misconception is that fiber optic cable is required for VoIP due to 'better quality,' but Cat5e/Cat6 UTP is the standard for horizontal cabling to endpoints, as fiber is typically reserved for backbone or long-distance runs.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Cat5e UTP
Cat5e UTP cable supports 1000BASE-T Ethernet at up to 100 meters, which is sufficient for VoIP phones that typically require 100 Mbps or 1 Gbps connectivity and can also receive Power over Ethernet (PoE) from a switch. This makes it the standard choice for new office cabling for VoIP deployments.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Coaxial cable
Why it's wrong here
Coaxial is used for cable TV or internet modems, not for VoIP phones directly.
- ✓
Cat5e UTP
Why this is correct
Cat5e supports 1000 Mbps and Power over Ethernet (PoE), making it suitable for VoIP phones. It is a standard choice.
- ✗
Fiber optic cable
Why it's wrong here
Fiber is used for long distances or high bandwidth, but it is overkill and expensive for desk phones. It also does not support PoE.
- ✗
Serial cable
Why it's wrong here
Serial cables are used for legacy devices or console connections, not for modern VoIP phones.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Mobile Device Connectivity
Key term
Ethernet
Ethernet is a wired networking technology that connects devices like computers, printers, and servers to each other and to the internet using cables.
Key term
CAN
A CAN (Controller Area Network) is a robust vehicle bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other without a host computer.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.