Global Active Copper Cables (ACC) - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2024 - 2024)

Global Active Copper Cables (ACC) - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2024 - 2024)

The Global Active Copper Cables Market is expected to register a CAGR of 4.21% during the forecast period.

The active copper cables market is currently experiencing robust growth, and it is expected to grow owing to data centers, high-performance computers, mass storage devices, and other applications globally.

Key Highlights

• 5G implementation is poised to meet the escalating demand for efficient communication, which is crucial for enhancing digital operations. While 5G's broader wavelength enables rapid data transmission, its signals are limited in range compared to 3G and 4G. Consequently, a robust 5G network necessitates a dense array of cell towers, each reliant on high-speed cables for signal transmission, thereby bolstering the demand for the ACC market.
• GSMA forecasts that 5G connections will account for over half (51%) of all mobile connections by 2029, climbing to 56% by the decade's close, solidifying 5G as the leading connectivity technology. 5G has outpaced all previous mobile generations in its rollout, exceeding 1.6 billion connections by the end of 2023, and it is projected to reach 5.5 billion by 2030. Consequently, as 5G continues its rapid expansion, the global active copper cables market is poised for significant growth in the near future.
• Telecom companies are placing significant bets on the next wave of telecommunication infrastructure. Cisco predicts that 5G will deliver speeds 13 times faster than the current average mobile connection. Beyond speed, 5G promises expanded bandwidth, network slicing, and boosts in artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and cloud computing. Moreover, with cable TV, telecom, and broadband infrastructure already well-established in many countries, the groundwork is set to accelerate the deployment of high-speed cables, fueling demand in the ACC market.
• However, the rising costs of raw materials are significantly impacting the production expenses of active copper cables. As reported by Credendo, a European credit insurance group, copper prices have been steadily climbing since late 2023. By mid-February 2024, they surged by over 20%, hitting a two-year high of nearly USD 10,000 per ton, primarily driven by shortages in copper ore. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has led to stricter recycling regulations and increased costs for fuel and energy, further elevating both production and recycling expenses. With Russia being a key global player in copper production and recycling, the combined effects of sanctions, logistical challenges, and domestic demand have exacerbated the global copper shortage, consequently pushing prices to unprecedented levels.

Global Active Copper Cables (ACC) Market Trends

Growing Deployment of Data Centers to Drive the Market

• As on-demand services gain prominence, enterprises increasingly turn to data centers to meet their IT needs. Data centers have evolved significantly, driven by organizations' heightened demands for data management, backup, recovery, and essential tools like email. This surge in data center demand, especially those catering to enterprise applications, underscores the market's growth.
• Worldwide, hyper-scale data centers are on the rise, responding to the need to store vast data volumes and presenting lucrative prospects for businesses. Industries across the board leverage hyper-scale data centers to bolster computing power, memory, networking, and storage. These centers' key features include the ability to seamlessly scale up workloads and robust physical infrastructure.
• In addition, the Flexera State of the Cloud Report 2023 revealed that 72% of companies had integrated hybrid clouds into their operations. However, this shift often involves transitioning away from traditional private and public cloud setups.
• India and China, prominent players in the market, are channeling significant investments into data center construction. Key players such as AdaniConnex, Reliance, Sify, Atlassian, Yotta, and AWS have unveiled major commitments to bolster India's data center landscape. For instance, AWS, a division of Amazon, has outlined a staggering USD 12.7 billion investment by 2030, underscoring its aggressive expansion plans. In a parallel move, Kotak Alternate Assets, under Kotak Investment Advisors, is injecting USD 800 million into the development of 5-7 sizable data center assets, focusing on prime real estate markets in India, providing the market studied a huge opportunity.
• India is poised to witness a surge in data center market investments, with projections indicating a climb to USD 4.6 billion by 2025. This growth is underpinned by a confluence of factors: a burgeoning domestic internet user base, escalating demands for cloud computing, government-led digitalization initiatives, and a trend toward localization among digital service providers. Notably, India's data center landscape enjoys a key advantage in cost efficiency, both in development and operation, when juxtaposed with more established markets. Presently, major data center clusters are concentrated in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi (NCR), Hyderabad, and Pune, with emerging hubs in Calcutta, Kerala, and Ahmedabad. As these investments in data centers expand, so does the demand for associated infrastructure services, spanning IT, electrical, mechanical, and general construction across the Indian market.

North America to Hold a Major Share

• North America has the largest data center market in the world. In addition, the data center market in North America is witnessing a surge in hyperscale data center construction, driven by the demand for cloud services and digital transformation. According to Cloudscene's data, as of March 2024, the United States leads globally with 5,381 reported data centers. Germany follows with 521 centers, closely trailed by the United Kingdom with 514. Copper cables have traditionally served most network links between servers, routers, and switches, and the growth of data centers is expected to drive the active copper cable market in the region.
• In addition to data centers, the 5G network market in the United States is poised for rapid growth. The United States stands as the headquarters for telecom powerhouses such as AT&T, Verizon, US Cellular, and C Spire. As per the GSMA Mobile Economy North America 2023 report, North America is projected to witness over 535 million cellular IoT connections by 2030. Enterprises are turning to high-speed copper cabling to future-proof their networks, guaranteeing that their IT infrastructure will not face bottlenecks in the years ahead.
• The growing adoption of private 5G infrastructure in industrial settings is set to boost the demand for the ACC market. For instance, Ericsson, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Hitachi America R&D joined forces in August 2023 to trial a private 5G infrastructure at Hitachi Astemo Americas' electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Berea, Kentucky, United States. Such industries typically necessitate a dedicated, exclusive internet line to ensure reliable, uninterrupted connectivity.
• A trend has been observed in private 5G networks in North America. In February 2024, Kyndryl, an IT infrastructure services provider, formed a global strategic alliance with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). Collaborating with Athonet, a subsidiary of HPE, Kyndryl is spearheading the joint development and global delivery of LTE and 5G private wireless services. Similarly, in April 2024, Openvia Mobility, a technological platform within the Globalvia Group, a transport infrastructure concessions company, partnered with NTT DATA, a prominent digital business and IT services provider. Together, they are gearing up to deploy Private 5G networks along US roads. This widespread adoption of private 5G, especially in government and private sectors, is poised to significantly boost the ACC market in the region.
• In October 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States initiated a substantial investment of around USD 18.28 billion to bolster rural broadband. This funding, slated for a 15-year initiative starting January 2024, aims to bring 100/20 Mbps broadband to over 700,000 locations and enhance the same service for about 2 million locations across 44 states. Such a massive broadband rollout is poised to significantly boost the ACC market.

Global Active Copper Cables (ACC) Industry Overview

The active copper cables (ACC) market is fragmented in nature. Some major players in the market studied are NVIDIA Corporation, SANWA Technologies Co. Ltd, Kordz International, and Amphenol Corporation, among others. Players in the market are adopting strategies such as partnerships, agreements, innovations, and acquisitions to enhance their service offerings and gain sustainable competitive advantage.

• February 2024: Spectra7 Microsystems Inc., a prominent supplier of high-performance analog semiconductor products for broadband connectivity, and ACES Electronics Co. Ltd, a major connector and cable supplier based in Taiwan, jointly showcased the exceptional capabilities of their 800G active copper cables at the annual DesignCon Conference Exhibition in Santa Clara, California.
• April 2024: FIBERSTAMP unveiled its latest offering, the 800G OSFP Breakout ACC. Fiberstamp asserts that its 800G OSFP DAC and ACC adhere to the OSFP MSA and IEEE802.3ck standards. These cables utilize 16 pairs of copper cables, enabling an 8-channel, 112 GB/s two-way transmission, all while maintaining rate backward compatibility. Notably, the product seamlessly integrates with NVIDIA's equipment, aligning perfectly with their product specifications. The 800G OSFP DAC line supports up to 3 m, while the 800G OSFP ACC line extends that reach to 5 m, catering specifically to the demands of Nvidia's AI data center infrastructure.

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