Sales of 10-Gbps, 40-Gbps, and 100-Gbps optical transceiver modules rose 35% in the first six months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, according to a new report by Infonetics Research. The data comes from the market research firm’s newly released 10G/40G/100G Optical Transceivers Market Size and Forecast.
Meanwhile, it would appear the advent of 100-Gbps has not yet killed demand for 40-Gbps technology. Revenue for 40G long-reach transceivers spiked 93% from 2H10 to 1H11, and overall 40G port shipments grew 29%, according to the report. Shipments of 40G coherent transponders did particularly well.
However, Infonetics still expects growth in the 100G market to outpace that of the 40G market starting in 2013 as multiple suppliers transition to production. Prices of 100G products are anticipated to compare favorably to 40G by 2013, playing into customer preferences for 100G technology.
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"Tunable XFP optical transceivers were the standout product in the first half of 2011, with shipments up 59% over the previous 6-month period, putting the category on track to increase 200% in 2011 over 2010,” notes Andrew Schmitt, directing analyst for optical at Infonetics Research and author of the report.
Infonetics expects worldwide 10G, 40G, and 100G optical transceiver sales to reach $2.6 billion by 2015, more than doubling from 2010, when the market was $1.2 billion. At that point, the 40G and 100G segments combined will make up 40% of total optical transceiver revenue.
Still, network equipment manufacturers developing their own 100G technology currently control more than 70% market share, which means long-reach transponder vendors must fight for only 30% of the total market.
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Schmitt added, "“Multiple suppliers are now in the marketplace and that appears to be the catalyst customers needed to begin adoption. Also of note were very strong shipment trends in 100GBase-LR4 modules, demonstrating the widespread prototyping and trial activity now underway among 100-Gbps vendors and service providers."
Infonetics' 10G/40G/100G Optical Transceivers report provides analysis, market size, and forecasts through 2015 for manufacturer revenue and units shipped. The report analyzes the market by module, reach, wavelength, and form factor.
Source: Lightwave
