Routing Network Cable in the Wall: Cost, Methods, and Cat6a Guide 2026

WiFi 6 is impressive on paper, but in a typical Swedish house with concrete and brick walls, the range is halved with every wall. A wired Ethernet connection guarantees low ping, full broadband all the way, and a stable connection for streaming, gaming, and home offices. Here is the complete guide.

Wired vs WiFi — The Honest Comparison

For video meetings, online gaming, 4K streaming, and home offices, the difference is noticeable every day. WiFi is sufficient for mobile and tablet browsing.

Three Methods for Invisible Cable Installation

Method 1 — Existing Conduits (most common in houses 1960–2000)

Most villas have empty conduits (tomrör) — empty plastic pipes built into walls and ceilings, originally for TV antennas and telephones. The electrician fishes in a Cat6a cable and replaces the old outlet with a modern RJ45 network outlet.

• ✅ Fast and cheap — 1–3 hours per outlet
• ✅ Completely invisible result
• ❌ Only works if the empty conduits run the right way

Method 2 — Baseboard Channel

A discreet cable channel (e.g., OBO Bettermann or Hager) is mounted along the baseboard. The cable is hidden and secured in place.

• ✅ No tearing down walls
• ✅ Looks good if the channel is chosen in the right color
• ❌ Visible upon close inspection
• Good for: apartments, renovation situations without empty conduits

Method 3 — Cable Milling (during renovation)

During renovation, the electrician mills a 20 mm wide groove directly into the plaster or drywall, routes the cable, and plasters it over again. The result is completely invisible.

• ✅ Clean and professional result
• ✅ Suitable for total renovations
• ❌ Requires the surface layer to be open

Which Cable Should You Choose?

Our recommendation: Cat6a FTP. The price difference compared to Cat6 is small (approx. 3–5 SEK/m more), but you get 10 Gbit/s capacity and better interference resistance. Future-proof for 10+ years.

Costs — What Does It Cost to Route a Network Cable?

Electrical work for network installation qualifies for a 30% ROT deduction on the labor cost.

Professional Home Network with Ceiling-Mounted Access Point

Instead of having wired connections to every device, you can route a cable to 1–2 WiFi access points mounted in the ceiling (e.g., Ubiquiti UniFi U7 Pro or TP-Link Omada EAP). The result is:

• Professional WiFi quality throughout the residence without dead zones
• Automatic roaming when you move between rooms
• Centralized management via app or web interface
• Can handle 100+ devices without performance drops

A ceiling-mounted access point costs approx. 2,000–4,000 SEK (material) and provides a network that competes with office solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I route the cable myself? Signal work (network cable without electricity) is not regulated by the National Electrical Safety Board — in theory, you can route the cable yourself. However, electrical interventions (new circuit, wall outlet, connection to the electrical panel) always require a certified electrician. If you want an outlet with electricity and a network connection in the same place, an electrician is needed for the entire job.

How long do installed network cables last? A correctly installed Cat6a cable lasts 20–40 years. The cable itself does not age electrically. The standards (switches, protocols) may change, but the physics of the copper remain the same.

What is the difference between an access point and a WiFi router? The router handles your network's "intelligence" and Internet connection. An access point is a pure radio transmitter that extends WiFi coverage without creating a separate network.

Do you want a cabled network installed at home?

Smista Elinstallation routes network cables, installs RJ45 outlets, and sets up professional access points throughout Greater Stockholm. Contact us for a free price quote.