5. Counterfeits run amuck

Look out, because they appear to be everywhere. We gave considerable coverage to the topic of counterfeit cable this year, and based on the number of people who read our coverage it is evident to us that the issue maintains your interest. The Communications Cable and Connectivity Association (CCCA) has been on a campaign to raise awareness of counterfeit products, and continues that campaign. Meanwhile, Underwriters Laboratories continues to alert the public when it discovers communications cables that use its marking without authorization. The existence of counterfeit products is not unique to the cabling trade. Our sister website Interconnection World recently reported on the discovery of counterfeit electronics (originating in China, shockingly) inside U.S. military aircraft. We are not the only ones struggling with the presence of counterfeit products in our industry, but our challenges are significant nonetheless.