A telephone cable is a method of guided transmission for your phone line. This means it acts as a physical path to transmit electromagnetic waves and carry information from point to point. This is done by means of a conductive material such as copper wiring. Telephone cables are sheathed in a protective material such as PVC in order to protect the wires from damp and damage. You can learn more in our complete guide to telephone cable.

What is a telephone cable used for?

A telephone cable can be used for all kinds of communication purposes. They’re found in telecommunication applications such as audio and TV equipment as well as in computer and phone networks. Fibre optic cables are a more advanced version of telephone cables.

What type of cable do I need?

The type of telephone cable you choose will depend on the specific task it is needed for. For example, in high-tech audio equipment, it is necessary to prevent sound interference. The telephone cable will therefore need an extra conductive layer to ensure inference doesn’t reach the cable itself.

Whether the cable is to be used inside/outside or as a telephone extension will also determine the type of cable that needs to be used.

All telephone cables can be connected to a telecommunication network interface such as a Registered Jack (RJ). The RJ11, RJ14 and RJ25 connectors are the most commonly used interfaces for phone connections with the RJ11 being the most widely implemented. The RJ11 is a modular connector with wire for one telephone line and is used for single-line telephones in most homes and offices worldwide.