In 2022, all signs point to a thriving wire and cable industry. As major telecommunications providers expand their 5G networks and more organizations adopt industry 4.0 technologies, the need for fiber optic cables and hybrid cables are two major trends we expect to see.
Fiber Optic Cables
Fiber optic is a fast-growing area of the wire and cable market. Research and Markets, a global market research firm, estimated that the global fiber optics market size was USD $4,891 million in 2020 and is expected to reach USD $9,393 million by 2026. One factor attributing to this growth is increased demand for reliable internet connectivity from businesses and individuals working from home.
With the introduction of 5G networks, we can also expect to see increased demand in the telecommunications and healthcare industries for fiber optic cables. Verizon and AT&T have already begun to lay the groundwork for the 5th generation mobile network that will connect everyone and everything including machines, objects and devices.
As the industry grows and adapts, we expect to see greater needs for design assistance and material innovation. One key driving factor will be the newly passed 2021 infrastructure bill. This bill funds the expansion of high-speed internet into rural areas. This will increase demand for FTTH/FTTC/FTTN (fiber to the home/curb/node) cables and hybrid cables for 5G networks. The bill also includes investment in the power grid, which will increase demand for overhead lines and building wire, and funding for the creation of a nationwide electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure/network, which will drive new development of EV cables.
Hybrid Cables
The implementation of 5G will also call for hybrid cables with new types of jacketing and insulation materials, and extruded cables and dual-extrusion cables. A hybrid cable has multiple types of conductors incorporated into a single package which increases functionality without the clutter of many cables. Extruded cable systems offer several advantages over traditional self-contained cables but require special consideration to properly design for long-term operation underground. The best cable insulation and jacketing depends on the cable’s application.
Hybrid cables offer many benefits including reduced labor and installation costs, flexibility for devices being run, and reduced inventory.
Stay Up to Date
There are many wire and cable trade shows taking place in 2022. These are always a great place to network, see the latest technology in action and find new partners.
- Wire Southeast Asia in Bangkok, Thailand, February 9-11, 2022
- Cable & Wire Fair 2022 in New Delhi, India, March 1-3, 2022
- Wire Dusseldorf in Dusseldorf, Germany, May 9-13, 2022
- Wire Association International Operations Summit & Wire Expo 2022 in Dallas, Texas, June 7-8, 2022 (GEON will be here!)
- The 2022 Cable & Connectivity Industry Forum in Providence, Rhode Island, October 10-13, 2022
- Wire South America in Sao Paulo, Brazil, October 25-27, 2022
- Wire India in Mumbai, India, November 23-25, 2022
You can also follow GEON on LinkedIn or subscribe to our blog for regular updates on the wire and cable industry.
