(i.e. Category 5, 5 enhanced, 6, etc.) - Categories in this contest were established by the EIA/TIA (see EIA/TIA) to identify the performance levels of copper communications cabling. CAT 3 was designed for use with 10Base-T. CAT 5 was designed for use with 100Base-Tx, and the most recently passed CAT 5 Enhanced standards (CAT 5 E) were designed for use with 1000Base-T (gigabit). The Category 6 standards, as of this writing, are only in the proposal stage and not quite yet available. It is anticipated that the CAT 6 standards will be approved by early 2001. Category 5e is the de facto standard today.