LONDON -- Weak growth in the global optical components (OC) market in the first quarter of 2011 marked the start of a period of contraction for the sector, according to Ovum.

In a new market report*, the independent telecoms analyst reveals that the OC market grew by just one per cent sequentially in the first quarter of 2011, reaching $1.59 billion. This weak growth is a sure sign that the torrid pace set in 2010 has cooled significantly, says Ovum.

Furthermore, Ovum’s vendor revenue guidance for the second quarter of 2011 shows that the market could contract between two andeight per cent sequentially, an outlook that if realised would mark the first sequential decline in two years.

Ovum Ltd.