MEMS in optical networks to hit $1.8B in 2006

Revenues for MEMS in optical networking is forecasted to grow from $33.1 million in 2001 to more than $1.8 billion in 2006, according to a report by In-Stat/MDR called "MEMS and Optical Networks: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly." Long term opportunity for MEMS remains positive for companies willing to wait for the market to recover sometime in 2003, In-Stat adds.

The report reveals that more revenues were generated by 3D MEMS switches in 2001 than 2D MEMS switches, although 2D switches shipped in higher volumes. Also, other MEMS components, particularly tunable lasers and VOAs, are moving into the market more quickly than MEMS switches.