By Scott Styborski
AI in retail is not “just software.” It requires high-bandwidth, high-reliability physical infrastructure to support:
- Cameras
- Sensors
- RFID
- Smart shelves
- WAPs
- POS modernization
- Edge compute
In many stores, the existing cabling simply cannot support the demands of AI-driven operations.
Here are the key reasons retail companies update low-voltage cabling during AI deployments:
1. AI Systems Require Higher Bandwidth and Power
AI hardware — especially computer vision cameras — demands:
- Higher data throughput
- Higher-quality video feeds
- Real-time streaming
- PoE+ or PoE++ power delivery
Legacy cabling (Cat5, Cat5e, inconsistent Cat6) often cannot:
- Support required frame rates
- Carry enough power
- Maintain stable throughput over longer runs
Result: Upgrading to Cat6A or better is often mandatory for reliable AI performance.
2. Legacy Cabling Is Inconsistent Across Stores
Many retailers have:
- 20 years of incremental cabling
- Mixed cable categories per store
- Improper terminations
- Old patch panels
- Unlabeled/unmapped drops
- Aging or brittle cabling
AI vendors need predictable, consistent infrastructure.
Retailers cannot scale AI chainwide with 20 different store conditions.
New cabling = consistent, chainwide standards for AI execution.
3. AI Cameras and Sensors Require New Locations
AI changes the physical layout of IoT inside the store:
- Computer vision cameras may move to ceiling grids or wider coverage zones.
- RFID readers may require new power + data runs.
- Smart shelves need cabling down aisles that were never wired.
- Edge devices require mid-store or backroom placement.
Stores weren’t designed for AI hardware — the infrastructure must be updated.
New physical locations = new cable runs.
4. Distance Limitations Require New Cabling
Many stores exceed the 100m max run for older low-voltage cable.
AI systems — especially CV cameras — often need:
- Ceiling drops far from the network closets
- Cabling through warehouse or stockroom spaces
- Moves/adds/changes to avoid interference
Old cable runs may be:
- Too long
- Routed poorly
- Outside performance range
New cable = proper routing + compliance + signal integrity.
5. Power-over-Ethernet Upgrades
AI hardware often requires:
- PoE+
- PoE++
- Higher wattage for pan/tilt/zoom cameras
- Smart shelf power distribution
- Intelligent sensors or IoT nodes
Older cabling cannot safely or reliably deliver this.
AI = new power standards → new structured cabling.
6. Reduced Interference, Noise, and Data Loss
AI can’t operate on:
- Noisy cable
- Poorly shielded lines
- Cable near high-voltage sources
- Kinked or pinched wiring
AI requires clean, stable signal to maintain:
- Real-time analytics
- System responsiveness
- Video quality
- Consistent AI inference
Replacing old cabling prevents costly noise issues in AI systems.
7. Regulatory, Safety, and Risk Mitigation
Older cabling may not meet:
- Plenum requirements
- Fire safety codes
- NEC updates
- Energy management requirements
During AI modernization, retailers often use this moment to become code-compliant chainwide.
8. Preparing for Future AI Upgrades
AI is not static — the tech will evolve every 12–24 months.
Forward-looking retailers are already upgrading cabling to:
- Support next-gen cameras
- Support more sensors per store
- Enable higher bandwidth for analytics
- Prepare for full computer-vision coverage
Cabling is the foundation for the next decade of innovation.
9. The Cost of NOT Updating Cabling Is Much Higher
If a retailer keeps old cabling:
- AI performance degrades
- Cameras drop offline
- Video analytics fail
- Data loss increases
- Technicians must revisit stores
- Rollouts slow down
- Store downtime increases
- AI vendor SLAs break down
Cabling failures are the #1 cause of AI deployment troubleshooting.
Updating cabling upfront reduces problems by 70–80% during nationwide AI rollouts.
10. The AI Project Provides the Budget Window
Retailers rarely get a budget for pure “cabling refresh” work.
But when AI modernization is approved, they can justify:
- Infrastructure upgrades
- Cable updates
- Closet cleanup
- New patch panels
- Labeling and documentation
AI rollout = the perfect time to fix infrastructure that has been failing silently for years.
BOTTOM LINE
AI needs a high-performance, reliable physical foundation. Old low-voltage cabling simply cannot support the power, bandwidth, consistency, and physical placement that modern AI systems require.
This is why AI projects create massive opportunities for structured cabling.
And why MTP is perfectly positioned to lead those deployments.
