January 5, 2006 Washington, D.C. -- According to a press release, at the Optoelectronics Industry Development Association's Optoelectronics Industry Development Association's (OIDA) Annual Forum held on November 29, 2005 in Washington, D.C., Dr. Michael Lebby, the executive director of OIDA, stated that the overall outlook for the industry was "excellent."
"Many markets are showing vibrant growth," said Lebby. "We are moving to become a $1 trillion industry."
Lebby reported that, overall, optoelectronic component sales grew in 2004, with communications components showing a 10% annual increase. As an example, Lebby referenced pluggable modules, components that OIDA says have demonstrated appreciable growth over the past several years. Other areas of growth, according to Lebby, included: optical storage, which has grown 81% since 2001; optical sensors, which OIDA sees surpassing $1 billion by 2008; and LEDs, which OIDA sees being incorporated into a wide range of applications.
Keynote speakers at the event included FCC commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, with a speech entitled "FCC Support for Broadband," and Verizon senior VP and CTO Mark Wegleitner, with a speech entitled "Broadband Service Offerings/FTTP." According to the release, at the event, Wegleitner also announced that Verizon will "move its FTTP network from BPON to GPON, to eventually become WDM-PON."
The event also featured a panel discussion among venture capitalists reviewing new investment areas in optoelectronics, ranging from medical eye surgery, next generation fiber-optic transceivers, advanced liquid crystal displays and thin film technology, high efficiency silicon solar cells, standardized laser diode fabrication, and high efficiency thermal LED packaging. The panelists reviewed the technologies and the potential opportunities for venture capital investments.
Forum attendees also reviewed OIDA's "Opto Communications Roadmap," which outlines opportunities and challenges for the industry over the next 10 years.
"This year's annual forum provided a venue for our members to hear first hand about some of the market forces that will shape future of the optoelectronics industry," concludes Lebby. "As lawmakers and service providers move forward with a national broadband policy and other issues, OIDA will be there to serve as both a catalyst for issues, and to help provide the support and analysis that players in the industry need to build the industry's profitability."