A lot home networks use an older CAT5 or CAT5e cable. Nowadays, however, it's worth swapping to a CAT6 network cable, especially if you've got fast internet.

For a house, cheap CAT6 and flex conduit. CAT6a is a specialized job. You don't need to do the whole run in flex conduit, but if you do it from the wallbox, through the top plate, and up to ...

The Nbase-t alliance passed two new IEEE approved standards, the new IEEE 802.3bz is going to support 2.5 and 5 Gigabit Ethernet speeds over the large installed base of twisted pair copper cabling.