RF-over-fiber Market - Forecast(2024 - 2030)

RF-over-fiber Market Overview

The RF-over-fiber Market is estimated to reach US$819.6 million by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 9.8% during the forecast period 2022-2027. The rising demand for high bandwidth communication and internet systems on a global scale is accelerating the RFoF market expansion. In June 2022, ViaLite introduced the new RF-over-fiber with long-distance dense wavelength division multiplexing optic fiber link systems up to 600km+. It is ideal for GPS and Satcom applications. The high adoption of RFoF in the Military sector for upgrading communication networks to meet the rising demand for high bandwidth is leading to market expansion. RF-over-fiber (RFoF) is an analog process of converting an RF into light by modulating the intensity of the light source with an RF signal. It consists of components such as transceivers, optical transmitters and fiber optic cables. It is used for applications including satellite communications and navigation systems.

Report Coverage

The “RF-over-fiber Market Report – Forecast (2022-2027)” by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments in the RF-over-fiber Market.

By Component: Fiber optic cables, Optical Amplifiers, Transceivers, Optical Transmitters, Optical Receivers, Optical Switches, Antennas and Others (Splitters, Connectors and Fiber Optic Multiplexers).
By Frequency Band: L Band, S Band, C Band, X Band, Ku Band and Ka Band.
By Organization Size: Small-scale Organizations, Medium-scale Organizations and Large-scale Organizations.
By Application: Telecommunication systems, Satellite communication (Satcom), Radar, Navigation, Broadcast, Broadband and Others.
By End-users: Civil, Military, Government, Telecommunication, Media and Others.
By Geography: North America (The US, Canada and Mexico), Europe (Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Spain and Others), APAC (China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and Others), South America (Brazil, Argentina and Others) and RoW (the Middle East and Africa).

Key Takeaways

• The Satellite communication (Satcom) segment held the largest market share of 25% in the RF-over-fiber Market by application, in 2021. RF-over-fiber is widely used in Satellite communication (Satcom) to meet the rising need for high-bandwidth communication networks around the world.
• The Civil segment by end-users in the RF-over-fiber Market is expected to grow the fastest at a CAGR of 11.7% during the forecast period 2022-2027. The civil sector is widely employing RFoF to address the growing need for high bandwidth communication and internet networks with the increase in the number of IoT users.
• Asia-Pacific is expected to grow the fastest at a CAGR of 12.2% in the RF-over-fiber Market during the forecast period 2022-2027. The high adoption of RFoF in this region is due to a rising need for high bandwidth communication networks and fast internet systems with an increasing number of smart device users. 

RF-over-fiber Market Value Share, by Region, 2021 (%)

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RF-over-fiber Market Segment Analysis - by Application

The RF-over-fiber Market by application has been segmented into telecommunication systems, satellite communications (Satcom), radar, navigation, broadcast, broadband and others. The satellite communication (Satcom) segment held the largest market share of 25% in the Rf-over-fiber Market by application, in 2021. RF-over-fiber is widely used in satellite communications systems to meet the rising need for high-bandwidth communication networks around the world. In December 2020, RFcomm introduced band-specific & wide band RF-over-fiber modules up to 60GHz for use in satellite earth stations and broadcasting centers. The advanced system transmitters and receivers offer multiple wavelengths including L, Ku and Ka.

RF-over-fiber Market Segment Analysis - by End-users

The RF-over-fiber Market by end-users has been segmented into civil, military, government, telecommunication, media and others. The Civil segment by end-users in the RF-over-fiber Market is expected to grow fastest at a CAGR of 11.7% during the forecast period 2022-2027. The civil sector is widely employing RF-over-fiber to address the growing need for high bandwidth communication networks and cutting-edge internet systems worldwide with the significant increase in the number of IoT users. In April 2022, Broadcom introduced a variety of optical transceivers/RFoF components, including SFP and SFP+. They are ideal for LAN Ethernet, SAN Fibre Channel, SONET/OTN Telecommunications and InfiniBand, among several other civil applications.

RF-over-fiber Market Segment Analysis - by Geography

The RF-over-fiber Market by geography is segmented into North America, Europe, APAC, South America and RoW. Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 12.2%, during the forecast period 2022-2027. The high adoption of RF-over-fiber in this region is due to a rising need for high bandwidth communication networks and fast internet systems with an increase in the number of smart device users. Several developing countries in this region are switching to advanced technologies and opting for RFoF for uninterrupted consumer services. In August 2020, according to the Nokia MBiT 2021 report, the continuous transition to 4G of mobile networks in India has facilitated increased online learning, remote working for professionals and higher OTT viewership. It was observed by the end of December 2020, there were 724.46 million mobile broadband subscribers which was about 97% of all broadband connections nationwide. An increase in the number of high-speed internet users is leading to significant growth of RFoF in many developing countries of this region including India and South Korea.

RF-over-fiber Market Drivers

The high adoption of RFoF in the military sector for upgrading communication networks to meet the rising demand for high bandwidth:

The RFoF module is deployed in several military applications to meet the demands for reliable information transmission and optical communication systems in unfavorable circumstances. RFoF ensures uninterrupted and safe connectivity of the control room network systems between antennas and various shelters. In July 2022, ViaLite launched the wideband RF optic fiber link which has a 10 MHz-3 GHz bandwidth for use in the military sector. The new link can be employed for 100% enhanced IF and L-Band HTS connections between satellite antennas, control rooms and network operation centers. It connects to monitor and control (M&C) systems for remote monitoring and has transmission ranges of 1m to 50km. It would assist in establishing reliable contact between militants and in monitoring crucial situations to successfully execute significant high-risk missions.

Rising demand for fiber optic cables owing to their increased bandwidth and reliability for efficient communication systems:

The adoption of connected high-capacity devices and the expansion of broadband multi-media services lead to a significant increase in network traffic. Customers' demand for wireless high-speed data communications has reached an all-time high. The RFoF is widely used in several sectors to meet the demand for increased-speed internet access. In January 2022, Focus Technology Co., Ltd. in their RF-over-fiber market report introduced the 1550nm RF-over-fiber optical transmitter with AGC for use in telecom, Satcom and enterprise multiple optical communication systems. It provides 100% uninterrupted connectivity. It has a frequency range of about 45-750 MHz and would enhance the company’s RF-over-fiber market share.

RF-over-fiber Market Challenges

High cost of investment and lack of resources:

RF-over-fiber network offers several advantages including high bandwidth and speed. However, it also has a significant initial investment cost. The fiber optic network components are quite expensive. This is why alternatives such as copper cables are still favored in industries where selecting the right kind of network is heavily influenced by cost. LDCs such as Gambia, Afghanistan and Tanzania continue to struggle with 100% 2G/3G access, which is far from the currently available 5G technologies. In September 2022, a report named – “Connectivity in the Least Developed Countries: Status Report 2021” was released by ITU (The International Telecommunication Union). It states that the vast majority of 1 billion people residing in 46 LCDs have access to mobile broadband, yet only 25% of them are online. This is due to low levels of human development, income variation and different conditions affecting digital development.

Key Market Players

Product launches, collaborations and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the RF-over-fiber Market. The top 10 companies in the RF-over-fiber market are:

1. Optical Zonu Corporation
2. Broadcom Inc.
   
3. EMCORE Corporation
   
4. APIC Corporation
   
5. SEIKOH GIKEN Co., Ltd.
   
6. Finisar Corporation
   
7. MicroComp Nordic AB
   
8. Microwave Photonic Systems, Inc.
   
9. Glenair Ltd.
   
10. Gooch & Housego PLC
    

Recent Developments

• In July 2022, ViaLite in their RF-over-fiber market report announced the launch of the L-Band HTS link (700-2450 MHz) which is the most commonly used RF-over-fiber link in satellite communications.
• In August 2021, Huber-Suhner to enhance the company’s RF-over-fiber market share introduced the RFoF with a wide frequency range of 1MHz - 40 GHz. It provides high-density connectivity.
• In March 2020, Emcore Corporation introduced the new Optiva Q/VBand optic fiber link for 50 MHz to 60 GHz applications. It would enhance the company’s RF-over-fiber market share.

Relevant Reports:

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Satellite Communication Market - Industry Analysis, Market Size, Share, Trends, Application Analysis, Growth and Forecast Analysis
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Radar Market - Industry Analysis, Market Size, Share, Trends, Application Analysis, Growth and Forecast Analysis
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