Huawei, Alcatel-Lucent and ZTE have grabbed top three positions in the optical network hardware market, including WDM and SONET/SDH equipment in the second quarter of 2013.

Alcatel-Lucent, which is undergoing a major restructuring, continues to decline on a year-over-year basis.

Infonetics says optical investment is set to increase in 2013 as part of Alcatel-Lucent’s SHIFT Plan to double down on optical and routing. ( Alcatel-Lucent unveils Shift Plan to focus on IP networking and ultra-broadband access )

Ciena is well positioned to capture the torrent of 100G spending expected this year from AT&T and Verizon. ( Ciena powers Verizon 200G technology trials )

Infinera is the fastest-growing supplier of optical WDM gear in Europe.

The optical network hardware market reached $3.3 billion in Q2, Infonetics Research.

Total optical spending is up 27 percent quarter-over-quarter, and the WDM equipment segment is up 21 percent year-over-year.

WDM spending accelerated in North America due to 100G deployments hitting the ground.

Worldwide spending on 100G speeds is tracking close to 15 percent of all optical spending.

“China’s 100G deployments will begin in earnest as the year closes, led by China Mobile, and we’re anticipating more than 5,000 ports of 100G in China alone in 2013,” said Andrew Schmitt, principal analyst for optical at Infonetics Research.

EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) is operating at record low levels of optical capital intensity; positive capex rumbles from tier 1 carriers have yet to translate into more optical spending.

Baburajan K
[email protected]