This study provides the forecast for the Western European LAN switch market, replacing the Western European LAN Switch Forecast Update, 2007-2012 (IDC #I71P, November 2007).

This document contains IDC's actual 2005 to 2007 LAN switch results and presents the latest forecast from 2007 through 2012 for Western Europe LAN switch port shipments and revenue. Forecasts are provided by technology for Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and 10GbE, by OSI layer for Layers 2, 3, and 4-7, and by form factor for modular, fixed managed, and fixed unmanaged LAN switch port shipments and revenue for the Western European market. Detailed forecasts on country level are available on request.

"Driven by demand for Gigabit Ethernet and 10GbE switch ports, which are necessary to upgrade networks and make them ready for convergence and serve as a foundation of the business, IDC expects the Western European LAN switch market to stay strong. We forecast that revenue will grow at a CAGR of 4.3% over the next six years to reach a total of $7.5 billion in 2013," said Evelien Wiggers, research manager, European Enterprise Networks, IDC.