The LAN segment also performed well in 2018 increasing by almost four per cent. Copper products and, in particular, copper cable sales, were boosted by increasing uptake of Cat 6A, the uptake of plenum in Canada and the implementation of the Construction Products Regulation in Europe, which recommends enhanced fire-resistant cables.
Lone Hansen, Senior Manager – IT Cabling, BACS & Associated Technologies, WMI, said:
“While the European Union Construction Products Regulation commenced in July 2017, the market impact varies significantly by country as most rely on recommendation rather than enforcements. In the UK, the uptake of Class C cabling increased, now accounting for 25 per cent in 2018 by value. In comparison the uptake of Class B and C accounted for just four per cent in Germany and 15 per cent in France.
This highlights another key trend in cabling for 2018: a shift to premium products. The premium on Class C is today 10 – 40 per cent compared to Class D and E in the UK, depending on supplier. In Canada, new fire regulations have increased the uptake of plenum cables, which are two – three times the cost of PVC cables. The uptake of Cat 6A is also increasing partly due to increasing use of PoE and partly due to lower premiums compared to Cat 6.”