6074_time_to_market.pdf | | Advanced Test Equipment Can Shorten TIme To Market For New Fiber Optic
Communication Gear
Raj Nair
Keithley Instruments Inc.
The recent battering of optical network and related stocks, along with those of other
technology companies, belies the underlying fundamentals of the communications
industry. In the face of financial turbulence and consolidations, the long-term outlook for
optical networking remains positive. Companies such as Marconi, Nova Crystals, Alcatel
and others continue to announce capacity expansions for opto devices. These expansions
are being coupled with vigorous cost reduction efforts to help bring down component and
system prices, which the industry recognizes as a necessity. One manufacturer predicts
that prices need to drop by as much as 40% if present growth rates are to be maintained.
Although triple digit growth rates seen by some manufacturers probably will |