Is the optical market awakening?

Several recent facts could highlight some potential market revival. First demand is growing with many RFPs and new orders in the terrestrial and submarine systems. Remember Verizon’s ROADM RFP worth some $100m+ a year over 3 years, but also telco needs for metro optical upgrades to follow up their ambitious broadband access buildouts. Secondly, venture capital is back in the optical market as many start-ups have raised large amount of money. Meriton raised $54m, Mahi picked up $70m, Tropic Networks gained $ 48m and Infinera raised $52m more. Are old good days back? Probably not, as demand is not booming, long haul is still in overcapacity in spite of some local orders and prices are shrinking due to fierce competitive pressure.