Copper is not yet 'dead': Infonetics

BANGALORE, INDIA: For the full year 2012, the global Ethernet access device (EAD) market grew 3.5 per cent, to $860 million, with growth hesitating as a result of economic conditions and a lull in carrier spending in the second half of 2012, finds market research firm Infonetics Research.

"People keep saying that copper's dead, but it's not-it has a limited but important role for Ethernet services, as evidenced by the continued growth of EFM (Ethernet in the first mile) bonded copper," notes Michael Howard, principal analyst for carrier networks and co-founder of Infonetics Research. "EFM's high capacities and reach make it a useful and effective alternative where fiber isn't justified."

"While fiber EADs represent the majority of the EAD market, we expect operators to spend a cumulative $1.5 billion on EFM bonded copper EADs over the next five years (out of a cumulative $5.8 billion total for all EADs) as they increase the capacity and efficiency of mobile backhaul networks and business connections," Continues Howard.

10/100M copper and 1G fiber dominate EAD ports today, however, 10G fiber is growing fast, forecast by Infonetics to grow at a 117 per cent CAGR through 2017. Though in slow decline, Ethernet over TDM (EoTDM) bonded circuits will remain a niche market, providing an inexpensive way to combine several E1s or T1s. For the second consecutive year, the top five revenue share leaders in the EAD market are (in alphabetical order) Actelis, ADVA, Ciena, Overture, and RAD.