Optical Communication and Networking Equipment Market Report, Global, 2024

The optical communication and networking equipment market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $25.03 billion in 2023 to $27.8 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to the rise of the internet and digitalization, telecommunication companies upgrading their infrastructure, technological innovations in fiber optics, the proliferation of cloud computing services, and globalization of businesses.

The optical communication and networking equipment market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $42.59 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to various factors including the extensive rollout of 5G networks, the expansion of internet accessibility in developing regions, the progression of smart city initiatives, the increasing prevalence of AI and ML applications, and the expansion of e-commerce platforms. Key trends expected in the forecast period encompass the swift adoption of fiber to the home (FTTH), the introduction of coherent optical technologies, the widespread adoption of edge computing and networking architectures, the utilization of SDN and NFV technologies, and advancements in silicon photonics technology.

The rising proliferation of data centers is anticipated to drive the growth of the optical communication and networking equipment market in the coming years. Data centers, specialized facilities designed to house and manage extensive arrays of computer servers, storage systems, networking equipment, and related infrastructure, are witnessing an increase in numbers. This growth is attributed to the rising demand for digital services, cloud computing, big data analytics, and internet-connected devices, necessitating expanded infrastructure to accommodate, process, and manage the escalating volume of global data. Optical communication and networking equipment deployed in data centers facilitate high-speed, low-latency data transmission, facilitating the swift exchange of vast amounts of information crucial for efficient operation and connectivity within and across data center facilities. For example, data from Hedonova LLC in May 2023 indicated that the data center sector experienced a 40% surge in activity, with 209 deals totaling over $48 billion in aggregate value in 2021 compared to 2020, underscoring the accelerating trend of data center expansion and investment. Consequently, the burgeoning number of data centers is propelling the growth of the optical communication and networking equipment market.

Key players in the optical communication and networking equipment market are strategically expanding their product portfolios by incorporating technologies such as tactical free-space optical communications (FSOC) systems to enhance offerings and provide superior communication and networking solutions. Tactical free-space optical communications (FSOC) systems utilize light propagation through the atmosphere to transmit data between two points without physical cables or wires. For instance, in May 2023, Raytheon Technologies Corporation introduced NexGen Optix, a tactical FSOC system enabling rapid and secure data transfer even in challenging conditions. The system boasts greater bandwidths in a smaller, lighter, more power-efficient, and cost-effective form factor compared to traditional optical systems, making it an ideal choice for organizations operating in demanding environments. Notably, the system has undergone rigorous testing and approval during U.S. government exercises, demonstrating its reliability and effectiveness in challenging operational settings.

In October 2023, Precision Optical Technologies Inc., a US-based provider of optical networking technologies, acquired Opticonx Inc., a move aimed at expanding Precision Optical's product portfolio and reinforcing its position in the optical networking market. Opticonx Inc., also based in the US, specializes in manufacturing fiber optic cabling components and systems, aligning well with Precision Optical's objectives and bolstering its capabilities in serving the evolving needs of the optical networking sector.

Major companies operating in the optical communication and networking equipment market are Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Cisco System Inc., Broadcom Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Nokia Corporation, Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Fujitsu Optical Components Limited, NEC Corporation, ZTE Corporation, Corning Incorporated, Commscope Holding Company Inc., Juniper Networks Inc., FiberHome Technologies Group, Arista Networks Inc., Ciena Corporation, II-VI Incorporated (Coherent Corp.), Lumentum Holdings Inc., Infinera Corporation, Finisar Corporation, Viavi Solutions Inc., ADTRAN Inc., Ribbon Communications Inc., ADVA Optical Networking SE, Acacia Communications Inc., PacketLight Networks Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the optical communication and networking equipment market in 2023. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the optical communication and networking equipment market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the optical communication and networking equipment market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Optical communication and networking equipment encompass a variety of devices and components designed to transmit, receive, amplify, and manage optical signals for communication purposes. These tools harness the characteristics of light, often in the form of laser-generated optical signals, to convey data across extensive distances via optical fibers or free-space optical links. The primary objective of optical communication and networking equipment is to enable the rapid transmission of data over long distances utilizing light signals.

Key components of optical communication and networking equipment include optical fibers, optical transceivers, optical amplifiers, optical switches, optical splitters, optical circulators, and others. Optical fibers, for instance, are slender, transparent strands composed of glass or plastic utilized for transmitting light signals over lengthy distances while minimizing signal degradation. These components utilize various technologies such as wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), fiber channel, synchronous optical network (SONET), among others, and find application across diverse sectors including banking, financial services, insurance (BFSI), government, healthcare, cloud computing, energy and utilities, and others.

The optical communication and networking equipment market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides optical communication and networking equipment market statistics, including optical communication and networking equipment industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a optical communication and networking equipment market share, detailed optical communication and networking equipment market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the optical communication and networking equipment industry. This optical communication and networking equipment market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The optical communication and networking equipment market consists of sales of power meters, optical couplers, optical interface cards, lasers, photodetectors, and modulators. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.


This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.