What type of crosstalk is characterized by interference from other cables nearby?

Alien Crosstalk is defined as the interference that occurs between cables running in parallel proximity to one another, especially in a shared conduit or cable tray. Unlike traditional crosstalk, which typically relates to one cable affecting signals within another cable directly, alien crosstalk occurs when signals from nearby cables induce unwanted noise or interference in the target cable. This is particularly significant in high-density cabling environments, such as data centers, where multiple cables run closely together.

The reason why this answer is correct lies in the definition and context of crosstalk types. Near End Crosstalk (NEXT) refers to interference at the transmitter end of a cable, which is a different scenario altogether. Attenuation Crosstalk deals with signal loss rather than interference from adjacent cables, while Fading Crosstalk is not a recognized type within standard telecommunications terminology. This distinction demonstrates that alien crosstalk is directly related to the physical proximity and interaction of multiple cable runs.