Posts

The end of the line for Category 5e cabling?

/in /by
Reading Time: 3 minutes

The ISO/IEC standards body recently decided to upgrade the minimum cabling infrastructure requirement for offices, effectively marking the obsolescence of Category 5e by defining a minimum of Category 6, and recommending Category 6A. This is a brief overview of the drivers behind this development, and the implications to your cabling infrastructure decisions.

Startup Stock Photos

As the bandwidth requirements for wired and wireless applications continue to grow, a recent decision by the ISO/IEC cabling standards body that defines cabling infrastructure requirements is expected to have a significant impact on the choice of horizontal cabling in offices. For the first time in almost 20 years, the standards body has decided to upgrade the horizontal cabling in offices from a minimum of Class D (Category 5e) to a minimum of Class E (Category 6), and to recommend Class EA (Category 6A), for new installations.

Drivers behind the decision to upgrade the minimum requirement

A number of factors were taken into account to define the new minimum requirement, including:

1.  Market dynamics A majority of customers are already choosing the higher categories. The standards body reviewed recent market data which indicates that shipments of Category 5e have been steadily declining since 2004. The 2014 installed base was estimated to include Category 5e at 26%, Category 6 at 56%, Category 6A at 17%, and Category 7 at 1%.

2. The emergence of new application drivers Wireless requirements, paradoxically, were identified as the first technology driver for higher bandwidth. IEEE 802.11ac WiFi access points are expected to require backhaul bandwidth in excess of 1 Gbps, prompting the formation of the IEEE P802.3bz™ 2.5/5GBASE-T Task Force. While the intent is to support 2.5 Gbps and 5 Gbps Ethernet over the installed base of Category 5e and Category 6 cabling, the lack of alien crosstalk specifications limits support to a subset of installed configurations, and mitigation steps may require component replacements in some cases.

3. The expected life of cabling Cabling installations are expected to have a useful life in excess of ten years, with twenty years being a common expectation. With this in mind, and considering the market dynamics as well as the emergence of technologies with requirements beyond those specified for Category 5e, the committee decided it was time to upgrade the minimum requirement for offices. The selection of Category 6 as the minimum reflects the fact that it is better suited than Category 5e to support 2.5 and 5 Gbps, while the recommendation for Category 6A takes into account the fact that applications beyond 1 Gbps will require alien crosstalk specifications.

Category 6A is recommended for all horizontal cabling since it provides the required performance to support these faster speeds up to 10 Gbps.

iStock_000009430552_SmallDoes this mean you need to upgrade your existing Category 5e cabling infrastructure?

Fortunately, significant industry efforts are being made to enable migration to 802.11ac Wireless Access Points by supporting up to 2.5 Gbps (and even up to 5 Gbps) over the large installed base of Category 5e. Although 2.5 or 5 Gbps may not be guaranteed for all installation configurations, standards bodies are developing qualification and mitigation procedures to maximize the chances to re-use the existing infrastructure.

Should you install Category 6, or Category 6A cabling in office environments? 

Once the new standard is published, Category 6 will be the minimum required for compliance. However, the standard will recommend Category 6A to support applications with alien crosstalk requirements (meaning applications beyond 1 Gbps). While initial deployments of 2.5 and 5 Gbps are targeted at WiFi access points, industry analysts predict a gradual phasing out of 1 Gbps technology in favor of the faster speeds, as the technology becomes mainstream and prices decline.  Category 6A is recommended for all horizontal cabling since it provides the required performance to support these faster speeds up to 10 Gbps. When do we expect the new standard to be published?

The standards development process can be slow at times, and it can be subject to technical and logistical delays. Based on current timelines, it is expected that the standard will be published in early 2017. This standards upgrade effectively marks the obsolescence of Category 5e and positions Category 6A as the optimal horizontal medium for new office installations, and the foundation for connected and efficient buildings.

This post is brought to you by CommScope. 

Northpoint City to Transform Singapore’s Yishun Precinct

/in /by
Reading Time: 3 minutes

NorthpointCityArtistImpression_010814e

SINGAPORE – Frasers Centrepoint Limited (“FCL”) has awarded the main contract for the construction of Northpoint City to Lum Chang Building Contractors

 

(“LCBC”) and spadework will commence on 15 April 2015. When completed in 2018, Nee Soon’s most iconic integrated development will cap the landmark change envisioned for the precinct, one of the earliest townships developed in the late 1970s.

 

The transformation of Nee Soon involves close collaboration between the private and public sectors. FCL will be working towards amalgamating the development’s residential and retail components with the town’s main transportation network and community facilities.

 

With a gross floor area of about 1.33 million square feet, Northpoint City will include the 920-unit North Park Residences, the largest retail mall in the Northern region of Singapore with over 500 outlets, a first-of-its-kind Community Club within a shopping mall, a vibrant Town Plaza equivalent to the size of 10 basketball courts, as well as an integrated transport hub consisting of an air-conditioned bus interchange and shopping underpass to Yishun MRT Station.

 

“The partnership between the agencies and FCL will create a new Nee Soon. The changes will be exciting. Residents and businesses can look forward to a greener landscape. There will be integration of community and healthcare facilities, transport infrastructure, as well as attractive lifestyle offerings,” said Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Law and Member of Parliament for Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency.

 

“The mature precinct’s proud heritage will be assimilated with the new, giving it a vibrancy that will be welcomed by both long-time and new residents,” added Mr Cheang Kok Kheong, CEO of Development and Property at FCL.

 

“We’ve been the developer and mall operator of Northpoint Shopping Centre for more than 22 years and we understand the needs and wants of Nee Soon residents. In our plans, we have been consistently guided by the spirit of community. Northpoint City’s transformation will celebrate and accentuate Nee Soon’s unique personality as a suburban hub with plenty of heart-ware.”

 

 

Making way for more greenery in Nee Soon

 

 

The roof-top Community Garden in the upcoming Northpoint City, which underpins this strong community focus, accordingly takes pride of place in FCL’s blueprint for the development.

 

The size of nearly three basketball courts and readily accessible to Nee Soon residents, the Community Garden will supplement the existing Town Garden and the needs of residents by providing them with an easily accessible green respite that also offers a host of recreational activities. The multi-purpose plaza set amid lush tree formations in the Community Garden offers residents with an expansive area under the cover of green canopy for various leisure activities such as morning strolls, outdoor exercises and picnics.

 

Northpoint City elevates the concept of an integrated development to a new level. Its retail underpasses and covered walkways will give commuters and shoppers comfortable and seamless access to the air-conditioned bus interchange and Yishun MRT Station. This integrated transport hub will bring residents within ‘doorstep’ distance in, around and beyond Nee Soon with seamless connectivity.

 

FCL and Lum Chang renew long-standing partnership

FCL has awarded the main contract for the construction of Northpoint City to LCBC. The award builds on FCL and LCBC’s established partnership. The contract is the third to be awarded by FCL to the local contractor, with the first being Tangerine Grove in 2007. This was followed by Esparina Residences in 2013 – also a joint development with LCBC. Currently, FCL and Lum Chang are also joint venture partners for Twin Fountains, an executive condominium development in Woodlands.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lum Chang Holdings Limited, LCBC has amassed a portfolio of construction projects worth over S$8 billion since 1970. These projects span healthcare facilities, key infrastructure amenities, institutional and commercial buildings, and residential developments for both public and private sectors, including the Ang Mo Kio Integrated Transport Hub.

 

Construction of the integrated development will commence on 15 April 2015, with the whole project slated for completion by 2018.

JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts To Open First Luxury Hotel In Shenzhen’s Bao’an District

/in /by
Reading Time: 3 minutes

JW Shenzhen_Lobby_front_desk2

Hong Kong, China – JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts continues to expand its luxury portfolio in China with the opening of the 356-room JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Bao’an offering magnificent views of Qianhai Bay and the Pearl River Delta. A stunning modern landmark designed by globally acclaimed architecture firm — John Portman & Associates and interior design company — HBA (Hirsch Bedner Associate), the hotel boasts elegant, contemporary interiors complemented by premium services and amenities for business and leisure guests.

Developed by OCT Group who has signed a long-term management agreement with JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, the JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Bao’an is the first international luxury hotel in Bao’an District and is conveniently located in Shenzhen’s booming Qianhai development zone. Its location being the nearest luxury hotel to Shenzhen International Airport provides easy and quick access for arriving guests.

“Shenzhen is a vibrant city that kick-started China’s opening its doors to the world so we are proud to introduce the ninth JW Marriott Hotel in China, and the second JW Marriott Hotel in Shenzhen,” said Henry Lee, Greater China Chief Operations Officer for Marriott International. “We look forward to providing the exceptional service and one-of-a-kind experiences that the JW Marriott brand is known for – both inChina and around the world.”

The magnificent interiors combine contemporary design with elegant cultural references and local artwork. The mythical Chinese phoenix is the inspiration for the hotel’s sleek, fluid curves and the pale blue guest room palette. Guests will be greeted in the lobby by an eye-catching artwork “Paradise of Materials” depicting the energy of the Shenzhen landscape by Chinese artist Zhan Wang.

The hotel offers 356 luxurious guest rooms and suites. Each room is designed in a chic, modern style featuring abundant natural light. Room amenities include high-speed Internet access, multi-media panel, mini bar, capsule coffee maker and organic herbal tea, and a 42-inch HDTV with satellite TV channels. Spacious bathrooms with a city or bay view feature Aromatherapy Associates bath products, and complimentary Nightly Refresh amenities will be provided in all guest rooms.

Guests are invited to explore two specialty restaurants and one lounge on property. Located on the top floor of the hotel, Bayview Restaurant treats diners to a fine selection of Chinese and Western cuisines with the superb panoramas of Qianhai Bay. A glass ceiling creates an exclusive, romantic private dining experience illuminated by the moon and stars. At the helm of Bayview Restaurant is Executive Chef Lim Chuan Seng. A revered Chinese master chef, Chef Lim previously worked at the Burj Al Arab Dubai and China World Summit Wing in Beijing, and was the winner of CCTV2’s Greatest Chef Cooking Show in 2013.

 

 

The Shenzhen Kitchen is a timeless yet contemporary all-day dining restaurant with an outdoor terrace, offering authentic specialties from China, India, Japan and Europe prepared in live open kitchens. The Lounge will be the perfect venue to meet friends or business contacts over a cup of tea, a glass of wine or a perfectly mixed cocktail accompanied by delicious local snacks. Afternoon tea will be served with live piano music accompaniment.

 

 

JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Bao’an promises to be a coveted destination for successful meetings, conferences, weddings and events. Ten multi-function venues offer 2,600sqm of cutting-edge meeting and banquet space. The highlight is the impressive 1,758sqm Grand Ballroom, which is the largest hotel ballroom in Shenzhen, featuring a striking ceiling with LED changing lighting, RCF line-array speakers, a private access elevator and spiral staircase, plus a specially designed lift capable of transporting cars and heavy props. The Grand Ballroom’s 500sqm Foyer with floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace with exquisite bay views make it the perfect venue for cocktail receptions and private functions. Seven other fully equipped spaces ranging from 75sqm to 315sqm provide flexible venues for meetings, incentive events, seminars, product launches and social gatherings.

 

 

The 4,000-sqm WATERFALL Spa & Wellness offers an unforgettable spa experience and holistic wellness journeys in nine private spa suites, each with private steam rain-shower, Jacuzzi and dressing room. Wellness services for pregnant women will be a unique specialty at JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Bao’an, including pre- and post-natal yoga classes, professional pregnancy exercise coaching and spa massage treatments.

The 300-sqm high-tech fitness center provided a full range of premium fitness equipment by PRECOR, a leading commercial fitness brand. Facilities include PRECOR’S revolutionary new PREVA health and fitness program; a hot yoga studio, a 40-metre heated indoor infinity pool and a landscaped outdoor pool and terrace affording scenic views.

 

 

“We are very excited about the opening of this new JW Marriott hotel in Shenzhen. With our superb location, excellent facilities plus a talented and dedicated team, JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Bao’an promises to provide business travelers and leisure guests with truly memorable experiences each time they stay,” said Mr. Nicholas Tse, General Manager of JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Bao’an.

 

 

For more information, visit jwmarriottshenzhenbaoan.com.