Optical network hardware generated $2.7 bln in Q2 2005, 10% growth

Worldwide optical network hardware revenue grew 10% to $2.7 bln between Q1 and Q2 2005, with the largest affect coming from market leader Alcatel, whose revenue jumped 41% in Q2 2005, says Infonetics Research. Total annual revenue will grow to $11.3 bln in 2008, driven by the onward push of bandwidth use by consumers and businesses worldwide.

Alcatel continues to lead the overall optical network hardware market, with 16% worldwide revenue, followed by Nortel with 12%; and Fujitsu and Huawei in a battle for #3, tied Q2 2005 each with 9%. Fujitsu leads the worldwide SONET market, followed by Nortel and Lucent. Alcatel leads the worldwide SDH market, followed by Huawei and Nortel. Metro ROADM switches hit $56 mln, down 36% QTQ; Cisco overtook Fujitsu for the lead in this segment in Q2 2005.