Global optical transport equipment sales flatten in 1Q 2021: Dell’Oro
Global sales of optical transport equipment were roughly flat in the first quarter of 2021 versus the same period a year ago, according Dell’Oro Group. The market research firm, in its latest Optical Transport Quarterly Report, lays the blame at the feet of a weakened North American market, which declined 15% year-over-year.
But even the comparative softness in North American sales held a silver lining. “Although the North American region was down this quarter compared to last year, it did improve from last quarter,” commented Jimmy Yu, vice president at Dell’Oro Group. “In fact, the growth quarter-over-quarter was really strong. It grew just a little over 15%, and we think this strength will carry forward through the remainder of the year.”
The picture in a least a few places outside of North America was bright. While the Asia Pacific market mirrored the market overall, sales in the Europe/Middle East/Africa region grew 10% versus 1Q20 and Caribbean and Latin American sales increased by 15%. Huawei, Ciena, ZTE, and Nokia were tops in market share, with Nokia enjoying a particularly strong quarter.
Dell’Oro notes that three vendors – Ciena, Huawei, and Infinera – are shipping line cards capable of 800G coherent transport. Ciena’s first-to-market status gives it the most market share in this category, according to Dell’Oro.
Dell’Oro’s Optical Transport Quarterly Report covers optical networking equipment sales via tables covering manufacturers’ revenue, average selling prices, and unit shipments (by speed including 100 Gbps, 200 Gbps, 400 Gbps, and 800 Gbps). The report also tracks DWDM long haul, WDM metro, multiservice multiplexers (SONET/SDH), optical switch, optical packet platforms, data center interconnect (metro and long haul), and disaggregated WDM.
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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