- A
Coaxial cable
Why wrong: Coaxial is used for cable TV or internet modems, not for VoIP phones directly.
- B
Cat5e UTP
Cat5e supports 1000 Mbps and Power over Ethernet (PoE), making it suitable for VoIP phones. It is a standard choice.
- C
Fiber optic cable
Why wrong: Fiber is used for long distances or high bandwidth, but it is overkill and expensive for desk phones. It also does not support PoE.
- D
Serial cable
Why wrong: Serial cables are used for legacy devices or console connections, not for modern VoIP phones.
Question 697 of 1,020
Best Cable Type for VoIP Phones
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of cabling. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
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?
Quick Answer
The best cable type for VoIP phones is Cat6a UTP, as it supports the higher frequencies and bandwidth needed for reliable voice data transmission and Power over Ethernet (PoE) delivery, while also offering backward compatibility with existing network hardware. VoIP phones rely on Ethernet cabling to carry both digital voice packets and electrical power from a PoE switch, so the cable must handle the required data rates without interference or signal loss. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of cabling standards and their practical applications in a small office environment—a common trap is choosing Cat5e as “sufficient,” but the exam emphasizes future-proofing with Cat6a for better performance and reduced crosstalk. Remember the memory tip: “Six is the fix for future voice”—Cat6a ensures your VoIP system won’t need recabling as network demands grow.
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.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cat5e UTP uses four twisted pairs to cancel electromagnetic interference (EMI) and supports 100 MHz signaling, enabling full-duplex 1000BASE-T. In a VoIP deployment, the phone can be powered via PoE (IEEE 802.3af/at) over the same cable, eliminating the need for separate power adapters at each desk. A real-world scenario: if a company mistakenly uses Cat3 cable, it would only support 10BASE-T, causing voice quality issues due to insufficient bandwidth.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Cabling — study guide chapter
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Cabling practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Cabling — This question tests Cabling — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 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.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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