Page 174 - Optical Switching And Networking Handbook

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Optical Networking and Switching Vendors 159

Optilas International
Optivision
Ortel Corporation
Photonic Integration Research, Inc. (PIRI)
Rockwell Semiconductor Systems

25
Figure 7-1
Expected growths
20
in the North
in Billions $US 10
American fiber 15
market

5

0
1998 1996 2000 2004

Growth in Fiber

grow to $24 billion by 2004. This is a dramatic increase in the over-
all installation of fiber-based communications facilities over the next
few years across North America.
The rest of the world also will see a dramatic increase in the use
of the optical systems, with international growth rates approximat-
ing 20 percent or better per year over the next few years, as shown
in Figure 7-2.
This growth leads to a feeding frenzy as the manufacturers and
carriers begin to compete for market share and start gobbling up
each other in the industry. Undoubtedly, many shifts will occur in
ownership and penetration as this phenomenon takes place.