Steady growth forecast in North American fiberoptic cable market
Consumption of fiberoptic cable in North America is expected to increase by 17% annually through the end of the century, according to a market forecast by ElectroniCast (San Mateo, CA). The market will grow from $2.22 billion in 1994 to $4.78 billion by 1999, says the report. Though the quantity of cable purchased is expected to grow significantly, total revenues will be offset to some degree by falling prices. From 1999 through 2004, growth will slow to a rate of about 10% per year, reaching $7.82 billion by 2004. North American production of cable is expected to rise from $2.46 billion in 1994 to $9.43 billion by 2004, resulting in a positive balance of trade in the fiberoptic cable industry.