Consumers and business users hungry for increased network capacity are ready to add a little fiber to their diets. According to new research from IDC, the worldwide fiber access equipment market will reach $1.9 billion in 2009, as users migrate to higher speed data services and innovative new services such as IPTV, HDTV, and video-on-demand (VOD).

The emergence of "triple play" - the integration of voice, video and data services on a single broadband connection - is driving service provider demand for more access network bandwidth. IPTV, HDTV, and VOD, in particular, are driving service providers around the world to upgrade their access networks with the capacity of fiber and the equipment that goes with it.

"Fiber access networks are the 'last mile' technology that bring the capacity of optical fiber directly to consumers and businesses," said Sterling Perrin, manager of IDC's Optical Networks research. "Following the stagnation of optical core networking over the past few years, the fiber access market is showing real promise, and, ultimately, can drive a reinvestment in the core."

In terms of technology, choices for fiber access will be drawn clearly along regional lines. U.S. carriers will remain committed to broadband passive optical networking (BPON) technology. Japan will focus on Ethernet passive optical networking (EPON) technology. Europe and Asia (excluding Japan) will favor point-to-point Ethernet, but there will be a small mix of EPON and BPON within both of these regions. Equipment vendors hoping to maximize on fiber access market growth will play in multiple technologies, and regions, if possible.

Other key findings from IDC's new study include:

• The worldwide fiber access networking market will grow at a 16.6% CAGR between 2004 and 2009.
• EPON technology has quickly become the technology of choice in Japan.
• Video is a key driver for the move to fiber access in the U.S. and Europe and to a lesser extent in Asia.
• Worldwide market growth opportunity is high, especially when compared to other optical technology areas and to the DSL broadband equipment market that fiber access is replacing.

This study, Worldwide Fiber Access Equipment 2005-2009 Forecast and Analysis (IDC #33969) forecasts the five-year revenue opportunity for fiber access equipment from 2005 to 2009. IDC breaks down fiber access equipment revenue by geographic region, including North America, Europe, Asia/Pacific, and the rest of the world (ROW). IDC also breaks down the worldwide market by the major equipment segments, including ATM passive optical network (PON) (BPON), Ethernet PON (EPON), and point-to-point Ethernet equipment.

To purchase this study, call IDC Sales at 508-988-7988 or email sales@idc.com.