Which aspect should be least affected by the untwisting of cable pairs during termination?

The integrity of the jacket and shield is least affected by the untwisting of cable pairs during termination because the jacket and shield serve as protective layers around the individual twisted pairs within the cable. These components are designed to provide physical protection for the twisted pairs and help prevent interference and signal loss. When a technician untwists the pairs to terminate them into connectors, they typically only expose a portion of the pairs necessary for insertion while leaving the jacket and shield intact.

Maintaining the integrity of the jacket and shield is crucial for minimizing electromagnetic interference (EMI) and ensuring the overall performance of the cable remains optimal. Moving towards the other choices, while the overall cable length, connector type, and installation speed can be influenced by the untwisting process, the jacket and shield's primary role is to protect the cable’s structure and maintain signal integrity, which usually remains unaffected by the untwisting procedure itself. Thus, this focus on protecting the cable’s outer components while terminating twisted pairs underscores why jacket and shield integrity is least impacted during this process.