UTP, or Unshielded Twisted Pair, is a type of electrical cable commonly used in networking and telecommunications. It consists of pairs of wires twisted together to reduce electromagnetic interference, making it suitable for transmitting data over short to medium distances. UTP cables are widely used in Ethernet networks and telephone systems. There are several categories of UTP cables, such as Cat 5e, Cat 6, and Cat 6a, each designed for different data transmission speeds and frequencies. UTP is popular due to its cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and ease of installation, making it a standard choice for both residential and commercial networking applications.