Private Datacom Media Converter
Market Review & Forecast (2010-2015)
Upper Lake, CA (USA) – April 6, 2011 — ElectroniCast Consultants, a leader in fiber optic market research (www.electronicast.com), announced the release of a new market analysis of the worldwide use of Media Converters in Private Data Communications. For the purposes of this study, ElectroniCast classifies the media converter as a device that connects different communication transmission media, for example, from copper to/from optical fiber and multimode optical fiber to singlemode optical fiber.
According to the ElectroniCast market research, there will continue to be a strong user demand for greater bandwidth and increased interconnectivity to the desktop, throughout the buildings, campuses, from LAN-to-LAN (Metropolitan Area Network – MAN).
This is matched by rapidly growing demand for global broadband interconnectivity. Interactive multimedia terminals, triple play (voice, video and data), quadruple-play (adding mobility as a communications function to the network), and numerous other dynamics/ applications, continuing bring rapid access to massive databases, which increase productivity while providing rapid ROI (return on investment).
“This expanded capability, however, must often be obtained without making the current network elements obsolete. Local area network (LAN) applications illustrate this trend. LANs are becoming larger and more complex. Reconfiguration, relocation, and extension of LANs are occurring more frequently, due to organization restructuring, advances in computer usage, and other issues,” stated Stephen Montgomery, president – International Business at the consultancy.
The American region (Central, North and South America) is currently leading in the use of private datacom media converters. Emerging countries, it would seem, could go straight to optical fiber in the LANs for green-field builds; however, copper is still the chosen media in hard-wire links. The EMEA private datacom media converter market is forecast for steady annual growth of 14.2% during the forecast period (2010-2015). ElectroniCast predicts that the APAC Region will increase at the fastest pace from 2010-2015. “Copper cables are dominant in hard-wire LANs in India, however, optical fiber is noticeably gaining market share. India as a fast-growth emerging market is a prime example of the need to use media converters for copper/fiber conversion applications. China is another strong growth center for media converters, constantly seeking solutions to convert legacy copper with longer-length/faster capacity optical fiber in the LAN/MAN applications,” Montgomery added.
Managed media conversion devices provide real-time graphical user interface (GUI) for simple configuration, management and monitoring of networks managed devices. Selected media converters, such as types covering several protocols including 10/100/1000 Ethernet, typically combine with options such as power over Ethernet (PoE).
Unmanaged media converters allow for the conversion multiple protocols and interfaces, such as 10/100Base-T copper to 100Base-F fiber, and extend transmission distances well beyond the limitations of copper cabling. Media converters reduce costs associated with expansion by providing legacy equipment an upgrade path when migrating to different networks.
According to ElectroniCast, the global consumption value of selected unmanaged media converters held 48% of the total available market (TAM) in 2010. It is important to note that Managed devices have a higher average selling price (ASP) versus the Unmanaged-types; therefore, in terms of volume (number of units), Unmanaged devices actually held the market share lead, in 2010 with 66%.
Private Datacom Media Converter – Global Consumption in 2010,
Managed versus Unmanaged Operating Type (Value Basis, %)
Source: ElectroniCast Consultants
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This 272-page market forecast study report is available immediately from ElectroniCast Consultants. The report also provides profile on over 100-companies involved in this industry segment. For detailed information on this or other services provided by ElectroniCast, please contact Theresa Hosking, Marketing/Sales; thosking@electronicastconsultants.com
(Telephone/USA: 707/275-9397)
ElectroniCast Consultants – www.electronicast.com specializes in forecasting trends in technology forecasting, markets and applications forecasting, strategic planning and consulting. ElectroniCast Consultants, as a technology-based independent forecasting firm, serves industrial companies, trade associations, government agencies, communication and data network companies and the financial community. Reduction of the risk of major investment decisions is the main benefit provided. ElectroniCast Consultants’ goal is to understand the challenges and opportunities facing clients and to provide timely, accurate information for strategic planning.
