Demand for optical fibre cable is forecast to grow almost 32% between 1999 and 2006, from US$10.4 billion to US$13.7 billion. This represents a very respectable annual average market growth of around 4%. Optical fibre is the type of cable most associated with ‘high tech’, and a number of manufacturers and analysts had unrealistic expectations about the sector’s potential. Demand has been especially strong in North America, and there is significant growth potential within other regions. The largest consuming region is North America accounting for 46% of world consumption, while Asia accounts for 30%. This report reviews the optical fibre cable market in 165 countries from 1999, with forecasts forward to 2006.
This report includes figures for optical fibre cables only. Data on single-mode and multi-mode has been consolidated. Optical fibre cables are a sub-segment of Telecommunications and Data Cable.