Fiber-optic market researcher ElectroniCast Consultants recently issued a report forecasting the worldwide use of private-enterprise data-communications media converters to reach more than $3 billion by 2013. ElectroniCast classifies the media converter as a device that connects different communication transmission media, for example from copper to/from optical fiber and multimode optical fiber to singlemode optical fiber.
“Media converter types range from small standalone devices, network interface cards, peripheral component interconnects, chassis slot cards, and high port-density rack-mount products,” said Stephen Montgomery, director of the Fiber Optic Components Group at ElectroniCast. “In addition to researching the different device package type and media interface types, we also looked into the use of managed versus unmanaged operating functions.”
According to ElectroniCast’s research, the global consumption value for selected media converters used in private enterprise data communications networks reached nearly $1.8 billion in 2008. Over the 2008-2013 study period, the consumption value will increase with strongly rising quantity growth partially offset by declining average prices, the forecaster says. However, the current worldwide economic crisis reportedly has consumption value lower in 2009, ElectroniCast says.
“The Asia Pacific region is actually showing an increase in unit consumption in 2009, however because of lower average selling prices pressures, the APAC region is showing a slight decrease in consumption value,” Montgomery said.
The full report, available from ElectroniCast for $2,800, also provides profiles on 100 companies involved in this industry segment.