Fiber-optic connector and cable-assembly markets continue upward trend

Dec. 1, 1999

The market for fiber-optic connectors and cable assemblies will grow from $2.5 billion in 1998 to more than $3.8 billion by 2003, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. According to the report Fiber-Optic Connectors and Cable Assemblies by Fleck Research (Santa Ana, CA), North America will lead global shipments, from $1.1 billion in 1998 to $1.74 billion 2003.

Japan is second to North America in total shipments, followed by Europe. Although North America will still ship more connectors, the fastest growth rate during the report period will be in China, where shipments will increase by a CAGR of 12.9%, or from $194 million to $357 million.

Singlemode fiber-optic connectors, couplers, adapters, and cable assemblies include the SC, FC, ST, Biconic, D4, Quick-Connect, LC, FC-APC, E-2000, SC-APC, din-apc, and D3. On the multimode side, there is ST, SC Simplex, SMA, Quick-Connect, FC, Biconic, E-2000, Mini-BNC, FDDI, mpo/mpx, SC Duplex, ESCON, MT, MAC, Mini-MT, backplane connectors, MU mother/ daughtercard connector, LC, MT-RJ, VF-45, SC/SD, and OptiJack.

According to Fleck, the highest growth is in the duplex/multifiber connectors. In 1998, total sales were $86 million, projected to reach $287 million within five years. The hottest connector market in the fiber-optic industry is small-form transceivers and inter connections based on third-generation connectors, including MT-RJ, VF-45, and LC.

The MT-RJ focus is on premise equipment with a projected 15 licensees by the end of 1999. Although MT-RJ sales were less than $6 million in 1998, projected sales will reach $71 million in the next five years. VF-45, developed by 3M (St. Paul, MN) competes with the MT-RJ and is expected to reach a projected market of $56 million within five years. Lucent Technologies LC focuses on transmission and "inside the box." Within five years, both singlemode and multimode are projected to reach $111 million.

For more information on this and other reports from Fleck, call (714) 953-9000, fax (714) 953-5053, or visit the company's Website at www.fleckresearch.com.

Sponsored Recommendations

Transforming the metro network and the evolution of the "Digital Service Provider"

March 4, 2025
Join experts at EXFO and Ekinops in this webinar that will review the evolving metro-centric requirements and the technologies emerging to meet them.

AI and Network Convergence: Transforming Global Connectivity

March 7, 2025
In today’s hyperconnected world, rolling out and managing profitable, high-performance networks for access and transport will require innovative architectural approaches. The ...

Unveiling the Synergy Between AI and Optical Networking

March 12, 2025
Join us for an engaging discussion with industry experts on the intersection of AI and optics. Moderated by Sean Buckley, editor-in-chief of Lightwave+BTR, this panel will explore...

Linear Pluggable Optics – The low-power optical interconnects for AI and Hyperscaled data centers.

Dec. 23, 2024
This LightWave webinar discussion will review the important technical differentiators found in this emerging interconnect field and how the electro/optic interoperability and ...