What is Zone Cabling and is it supported by standards?

Zone Cabling is a generic term that means different things to different people. To some, it means an “active consolidation point (CP)” or an “active Multi-User Telecommunications Outlets Assembly (MUTOA)” since the CP and MUTOA are covered in the “zone” clauses of the Pathways & Spaces Standard, TIA-569B. However, active devices in the “zone” are beyond the scope of TIA-568B, Commercial Building Cabling.