Infonetics pegs optical transceiver sales at $3.3 billion in 2016

Growth in 100-Gbps, tunable, and SFP+ optical modules points toward an overall expansion of the optical transceiver market, according to Infonetics Research. The market research firm expects the optical transceiver market to be worth $3.3 billion, according to its newly released 10G/40G/100G Optical Transceivers Market Size and Forecast.

The report tracks 10-Gbps, 40-Gbps, and 100-Gbps optical transceivers and transponders for optical transport, enterprise, and carrier routing and switching applications.

"2012 will be a pivotal year for 100G design activity, with many new equipment vendors fielding production equipment," says Andrew Schmitt, principal analyst for optical at Infonetics Research. "This will drive volume in the component world in 2013 as carriers reboot their optical networks and roll out all-coherent networks. In the meantime, 10G WDM interface growth continues with the tunable XFP playing the lead role, while 10G SFP+ volumes in the data center explode."

Some of these trends have already started. For example, unit shipments of 10-Gbps SFP+ optical transceivers nearly doubled in 2011 versus 2010, according to the report. Infonetics expects demand for SFP+ modules will grow at a 40% compound annual growth rate through 2016.

Meanwhile, tunable XFP shipments nearly tripled in 2011 as several new suppliers entered the market. Unit shipments of WDM-capable modules grew 24% in 2011 over 2010 as well.

Infonetics' 10G/40G/100G Optical Transceivers report offers analysis, market size, and forecasts through 2016 for manufacturer revenue and units shipped. The report analyzes the market by module, reach, wavelength, and form factor.