Data cabling Northern Ireland - structured cabling installation for business networks

Ask about data cabling

Drakos Systems installs Cat6 data cabling for offices and commercial buildings across Northern Ireland. Structured cabling, patch panels and trunking.

Ask about data cabling Call 028 90 184 600

Every Wi-Fi access point, CCTV camera, VoIP desk phone, and networked device in your building depends on the cable behind it. Bad cabling causes intermittent faults that are hard to diagnose: phones that cut out, cameras that drop offline, Wi-Fi access points that reset, and network speeds that never reach what your broadband is capable of.

We install Cat6 structured cabling for offices, warehouses, retail premises, clinics, and commercial buildings across Northern Ireland. Every run is terminated properly, labelled, tested, and documented.

What We Install

Cat6 data cabling

Our standard for all new installations. Cat6 supports speeds up to 10Gbps over short runs and 1Gbps up to 100 metres. It handles PoE+ power delivery better than Cat5e (important for Wi-Fi access points and cameras that draw more power) and gives you headroom as network demands grow. If you are running new cable, there is no reason to use Cat5e in 2026.

Working with existing Cat5e

Cat5e is still adequate for many applications and is often already present in older buildings. It supports 1Gbps Ethernet and standard PoE. If your building already has Cat5e in good condition, we will not tell you to rip it out. We will test what is there, reuse what performs, and install Cat6 for any new runs.

Structured cabling systems

Not just individual cable runs, but a properly designed cabling infrastructure: patch panels in a wall-mounted or floor-standing cabinet, tidy cable management, clearly labelled ports at both ends, and a cable schedule documenting what connects where. This means changes are easy, faults are diagnosable, and the next person who works on the network can understand the layout without guessing.

PoE cabling for Wi-Fi and CCTV

Wi-Fi access points and IP cameras are typically powered over Ethernet (PoE). This means one cable carries both data and power - no separate power supply at the device. We run Cat6 to every AP and camera location, terminated back to a PoE switch in the cabinet. This is cleaner, more reliable, and easier to maintain than running separate power feeds.

Patch panel and cabinet installation

Wall-mounted cabinets for small offices. Floor-standing racks for server rooms and larger installations. Patch panels, PoE switches, fibre patch panels where needed, cable management, and power distribution. Everything labelled, tidy, and accessible for future changes.

Cabling installed, tested and documented

Site surveyCable pullTerminationTestingHandover
Tested and labelled

Where Cabling Is Needed

How an Installation Works

  1. Site survey I visit, walk the building, identify cable routes (ceiling voids, dado trunking, risers, external runs), count the drops needed, and check for obstacles.
  2. Quote fixed price per drop, plus cabinet/patch panel hardware. No surprises.
  3. Installation cable pulled through routes, terminated on both ends, labelled at patch panel and wall plate.
  4. Testing every cable run tested with a cable certifier. Results documented. Failed cables are re-terminated or replaced.
  5. Handover cable schedule provided showing what port connects to what location. Labels match between cabinet and floor plates.

Cat5e vs Cat6: Which Do You Need?

Feature Cat5e Cat6
Max speed 1Gbps 10Gbps (short runs), 1Gbps (100m)
PoE support Standard PoE (15W) PoE+ (30W) and PoE++ (60W) more reliable
Crosstalk protection Basic Better shielding, fewer interference issues
New install recommendation No - use Cat6 for new runs Yes - standard for all new work
Existing cabling Fine to keep if in good condition Upgrade path when extending

Common Problems We Find

Who This Is For

Coverage

Data cabling installation across all of Northern Ireland: Belfast, Lisburn, Newry, Derry/Londonderry, Bangor, Craigavon, Ballymena, Antrim, Omagh, Enniskillen, and everywhere in between. For larger projects or ongoing cabling contracts, we also serve border counties.

After Installation: Network Maintenance and Support

Cabling is infrastructure that other systems depend on. If you need ongoing support for the network that runs over these cables - managed switches, Wi-Fi access points, CCTV, VoIP phones, or firewall and security - we offer managed IT and support contracts that cover the full stack.

Need ongoing network maintenance after installation? Ask about our support contracts.

Why Contact Us Directly

Marketplace enquiry Direct with Drakos
Your details go to several unknown companies You speak directly to the person doing the work
Price often comes before a proper survey We survey first, then quote accurately
Harder to judge technical quality You can ask exactly how the install will be done
Installer may be subcontracted You know who is responsible from survey to handover
No ongoing relationship We offer maintenance and support after installation

Get a Cabling Quote

Tell me what you need cabled - number of drops, building type, and what the cables will carry. I will visit, check routes, and give you a fixed price. Ask about ongoing monitoring and maintenance cover.

Get in Touch Call 028 90 184 600

Related Services

Need ongoing support after installation? Ask about our managed IT and telecoms support contracts.

Serving Belfast, Lisburn and Northern Ireland. Speak directly with the person who scopes, installs and supports your system. Onsite across Northern Ireland, remote support across Ireland and UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does data cabling cost in Northern Ireland?

Cat5e cabling typically costs between £80 and £120 per point, while Cat6 ranges from £100 to £150 per point. The exact price depends on cable run length, containment needed, building access, and how many points you need. Longer runs or difficult routes (external walls, concrete ceilings) cost more. We provide a fixed price after a site survey so there are no surprises.

What is the difference between Cat5e and Cat6 cabling?

Cat5e supports speeds up to 1Gbps and handles standard PoE. Cat6 supports up to 10Gbps on shorter runs and handles PoE+ more reliably due to better shielding and reduced crosstalk. For any new installation in 2026, Cat6 is the standard choice. It costs slightly more per run but gives you headroom for higher network speeds as your equipment upgrades over time.

How long does a data cabling installation take?

A small office with 10 to 20 cable drops can usually be completed in 1 to 2 days. Larger buildings with 50 or more drops, multiple floors, or complex routes typically take 3 to 5 days. We confirm timescales after the site survey once we know the cable routes and any access constraints.

Do you test and certify the cables after installation?

Yes. Every cable run is tested after termination to confirm correct wiring and signal performance, and the results are documented. You receive a cable schedule showing what connects where. Any run that fails is re-terminated or replaced. If your project needs formal certification to a specific standard, tell us at survey stage so we can confirm exactly what is required.

Can you install data cabling in a building that is already occupied?

Yes. We regularly cable occupied offices, clinics, and commercial buildings. We use surface trunking, dado trunking, and ceiling void routes to keep disruption to a minimum. Work can be scheduled outside core hours if needed. We discuss access and timing during the site survey to plan around your operations.

Call 028 90 184 600 Email Drakos