The 1310-nm Transceiver Market Faces Competition

March 18, 2003
Mountain View, CA, March 18, 2003. Suppliers in the otherwise mature 1310-nm transceiver market are threatened by excess competition and continuing developments, such as competitively priced 1550-nm transceivers, and commercialized long-wavelength VCSELs and quantum dot lasers.

Mountain View, CA, March 18, 2003. Suppliers in the otherwise mature 1310-nm transceiver market are threatened by excess competition and continuing developments, such as competitively priced 1550-nm transceivers, and commercialized long-wavelength VCSELs and quantum dot lasers.

While the market is currently depressed by slack demand and lingering inventories, one scenario projects over $500 million in annual transceiver sales by 2007, according to a new market study released by Strategies Unlimited. However, the report, High-Data-Rate 1310-nm Lasers: Datacom and Telecom-2003, says that there will be little relief for suppliers without consolidation, which has not really begun.

"This dynamic market has not had as high a profile as that of lasers used in WDM systems, but it represents a much larger volume of lasers, and it has been steadier through the downturn," says Tom Hausken, Optical Communication Components Practice Director at Strategies Unlimited. "This market appears mature, but the drive for even lower prices in the downturn combines with innovations in technology to upset the apple-cart,"

Datacom and telecom components converge in the 1310-nm laser market. The lasers are used for short to intermediate reach SONET/SDH, Gigabit Ethernet, and Fibre Channel applications. The datacom world brings a strong focus on low cost, standards, and familiarity with 850-nm VCSELs. The telecom world brings a strong focus on performance and familiarity with Fabry-Perot and DFB lasers. Their convergence at 1310-nm makes the battleground especially interesting.

The outcome will depend on the ability of suppliers to execute on their promises to deliver price reductions. Long-wavelength VCSELs need a breakthrough in both technology and manufacturing cost to beat Fabry-Perot lasers. DFB lasers have better prospects, but are increasingly threatened by 1550-nm lasers. Suppliers will have to stay ahead of innovations to gain or maintain market share.

Most of the leading suppliers of 1310-nm transceivers are North American companies, while Japanese and Chinese companies dominate the merchant laser subcomponent markets. There is an excess of suppliers in this market, but start-up companies are generating many of the most intriguing innovations. Some of the best ideas may be yet to come, and many will likely come from start-ups.

High Data Rate 1310-nm Lasers: Datacom and Telecom-2003 reviews the applications, markets, technology, and suppliers of 1310-nm laser products in both datacom and telecom applications. It presents forecasts by format and application broken down by data rate, format, and reach, along with estimates of revenues and market shares of key suppliers.

For more information, visit www.strategies-u.com .

Laser Focus World

Sponsored Recommendations

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) electrode manufacturing

Jan. 31, 2025
Learn how an industry-leading Brain Computer Interface Electrode (BCI) manufacturer used precision laser micromachining to produce high-density neural microelectrode arrays.

Electro-Optic Sensor and System Performance Verification with Motion Systems

Jan. 31, 2025
To learn how to use motion control equipment for electro-optic sensor testing, click here to read our whitepaper!

How nanopositioning helped achieve fusion ignition

Jan. 31, 2025
In December 2022, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's National Ignition Facility (NIF) achieved fusion ignition. Learn how Aerotech nanopositioning contributed to this...

Nanometer Scale Industrial Automation for Optical Device Manufacturing

Jan. 31, 2025
In optical device manufacturing, choosing automation technologies at the R&D level that are also suitable for production environments is critical to bringing new devices to market...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!