NEW YORK -- User demand for 100G networking drives the industry, and the key focus going forward is reducing the cost and increasing port density, according to the latest report from Heavy Reading Components Insider (www.heavyreading.com/commchip), a paid research service of Heavy Reading (www.heavyreading.com).

100G Components User Survey: 2014 Market Outlook analyzes the current and projected use of 100Gbit/s optical modules and PHY semiconductor components by equipment vendors, based on the results of an exclusive worldwide survey of engineers, designers, product managers and sales/marketing personnel that work for telecom and networking system equipment manufacturers and suppliers. The responses to our survey make it clear that these devices are critical components in many types of networking equipment, from long-haul to the access edge, data center and core of the network.

For a complete list of companies covered in this report, http://twimgs.com/audiencedevelopment/LRHR/PDFS/cci0813_companies.pdf.

"Demand for 100Gbit/s network connections is growing rapidly," says Simon Stanley, research analyst for Heavy Reading Components Insider and author of the report. "Initial deployments in the long-haul network and data center are now being eclipsed by the widespread deployment of 100Gbit/s interfaces in the metro network."

During 2012 we saw the introduction of second- and third-generation 100G solutions with cost-effective 10x10Gbit/s optical modules and production-ready 4x25Gbit/s optical modules for metro systems, Stanley says. "The 100G market is divided into three distinct areas – long haul, metro/enterprise and the data center – and the industry has developed three distinct 100G technologies," he adds. "There is now a very strong 100G ecosystem with almost 20 PHY device vendors and over 20 optical module manufacturers, and the key focus for 100G going forward is reducing the cost and increasing port density."

Key findings of 100G Components User Survey: 2014 Market Outlook include the following: