The key problem for players on all sides of the market is that even short-term visibility is proving difficult to gauge, which in turn is impacting on expansion plans. As we report in our cable editorial, the concept of planning is being challenged, given the ad hoc nature of many carriers' buying patterns. With excess optical fibre capacity still very much in evidence, cost cutting measures remain high on everyone's agenda. One such case in point is Germany, where there are reports that Corning is to relocate its optical fibre production from its Neustadt facility to its existing plant in Lodz, Poland. We believe, although we have been unable to substantiate any of these reports with Coming, that the plant has been earmarked for closure within two years, but that in the meantime, production of twisted pair copper cables is to continue.
展开▼
