OFC/NFOEC 2006

OFC/NFOEC 2006
Optimism is back at OFC/NFOEC after dark years following the bubble burst. Even if no innovative products were on display, major topics were around FTTH, ROADMs and 40Gbit/s, and a quite significant market recovery (+20%) in 2005. Broadband services demand is drawing the FTTH up, with the US (RBOCs ' RFPs), Japan and Korea being the largest markets. But Europe is now seriously considering fiber deployment in the access network (DT in Germany, FT in Paris, London area, Amsterdam city, etc). All stands were displaying FTTH solutions. ROADM-based flexibility in network is gaining interest from carriers, and all vendors are demonstrating boxes. The main concerns in Anaheim, CA, are once again focused on pricing and lowering margins, too strong competition and the need for consolidation. Even if optimism is back, the reality is that oversupply from the telecom bubble period is not yet absorbed,as it is evidenced by the sluggish long haul market. The 40Gbit/s market is raising some interest, but remains a small market (about $10m).