Ovum: Q3 2011 market softness for optical components should continue

Dec. 23, 2011
Revenues within the global optical components (OC) market retracted 0.2% sequentially in the third quarter of 2011, according to Ovum’s Market Share Alert: 3Q11 Global OC. The drop, which followed a double-digit sequential revenue decline in the second quarter of the year, is part of a downturn that should last into the first half of 2012, the market research firm added.

Revenues within the global optical components (OC) market retracted 0.2% sequentially in the third quarter of 2011, according to Ovum’s Market Share Alert: 3Q11 Global OC. The drop, which followed a double-digit sequential revenue decline in the second quarter of the year, is part of a downturn that should last into the first half of 2012, the market research firm added.

Ovum cited macroeconomic uncertainty as the main cause of the revenue shrinkage in the third quarter of this year, when revenues fell by $1.57 billion. However, Ovum expects the effects of the flooding in Thailand on component production capacity to compound the effects of the continuing poor economic factors, leading to another double-digit revenue decline in the final quarter of 2011.

And conditions won’t improve at the start of 2012, as Daryl Inniss, Ovum analyst and author of the market alert, expects that price pressures will add a third depressant to market revenues.

“We are hearing about strong price pressures in the current negotiations among the key players, and this will take effect in 2012,” Inniss explained. “Most of the negotiations are at the lower end of the traditional price decline scale. This aggressive pricing is a signature of the competitive environment, exasperated by supply constraints due to the Thai floods. These lower prices will affect both revenues and the bottom line."

Inniss did offer optical component companies a measure of consolation. “We believe there will be strong growth between the second and third quarter of 2012,” he said. “The pent-up demand will drive the market to a strong second half of 2012, even as macroeconomic uncertainty persists.”

The 3Q11 wasn’t bad for everyone, the market alert points out. For example, Fujitsu Optical Components saw its revenues jump 28% sequentially and 50% year-on-year. On the other hand, Oclaro suffered the most disappointing quarter among the top 10 suppliers. It saw revenues decline 6% versus the previous quarter, Ovum reports.

For more information on optical components and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyers Guide.

Sponsored Recommendations

Unveiling the Synergy Between AI and Optical Networking

March 12, 2025
Join us for an engaging discussion with industry experts on the intersection of AI and optics. Moderated by Sean Buckley, editor-in-chief of Lightwave+BTR, this panel will explore...

Transforming the metro network and the evolution of the "Digital Service Provider"

March 4, 2025
Join experts at EXFO and Ekinops in this webinar that will review the evolving metro-centric requirements and the technologies emerging to meet them.

AI and Network Convergence: Transforming Global Connectivity

March 7, 2025
In today’s hyperconnected world, rolling out and managing profitable, high-performance networks for access and transport will require innovative architectural approaches. The ...

Simplifying and Accelerating Rural Broadband Deployments

March 25, 2025
Explore how government initiatives and industry innovations are transforming rural broadband deployments, overcoming cost and logistical challenges to connect underserved areas...