MARCH 30, 2010 -- Despite growing interest in IP/MPLS and Ethernet, SONET/SDH is holding its ground as a way to support long-distance and metro services. Increased bandwidth demands mean upgraded SONET/SDH networks – and that, in turn, means an increase in demand for advanced SONET/SDH test equipment. For this reason, Global Industry Analysts, Inc. (GIA) predicts in its new SONET/SDH Related Test Equipment report that the supply of SONET/SDH test gear will be a $216.5 million market by 2015.
North America and Europe collectively account for about 68% of the global market estimated in 2009, according to the report. The SONET/SDH test equipment market in Europe is expected to register the fastest growth, largely supported by the reliability of SONET/SDH technology, which will see strengthened market presence in East European nations. In segmental perspective, strong opportunities for growth lie in jitter/wander test equipment as well as next-generation SONET/SDH test equipment, says GIA. The growing inclination towards next-generation technologies is primarily due to the rapid expansion of data applications.
That said, all is not rosy for SONET/SDH in general. Though most of the opportunities for SONET/SDH are expected to originate from content delivery providers, ISPs, and wireless carrier customers, the industry is up against a challenge in the form of competition from IP/Ethernet. Additionally, integration will emerge as a major challenge test equipment vendors will have to reckon with in the upcoming years, GIA asserts. While integrated test platforms are the key to success for vendors in a competitive marketplace, according to GIA, developing and providing these instruments can be quite a challenge.
GIA says that key players dominating the marketplace include JDSU, Anritsu, Sunrise Telecom, EXFO, Spirent Communications, Yokogawa Electric Corp., Digital Lightwave, NetScout Systems, IXIA, and Ideal Industries Networks Division, among others.
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