Which is NOT a characteristic of Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cables?

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cables are designed primarily for networking and telecommunications. A key characteristic of UTP cables is their lack of shielding, which means they do not have any protective layer to guard against electromagnetic interference (EMI). This is a significant distinction as shielding is an effective way to minimize the effects of external interference, which is where the term "unshielded" originates.

On the other hand, UTP cables are known for being cost-effective, making them a popular choice in networking environments. Their lightweight and flexible design allows for easier installation in various settings, and their common usage in both residential and commercial networks highlights their versatility in data transmission applications. However, these advantages come with the trade-off of lower resistance to EMI compared to shielded cables, which is an essential factor for maintaining signal integrity in environments with high electromagnetic exposure.