Global structured cabling market expected to decline by 12% in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemicNovember 2020

Updated BSRIA research indicates that the global market for structured cabling is set to decline by 12% from USD 6.6 billion in 2019 to 5.8 billion in 2020. A return to the 2019 sales level is not expected before 2022.

There was significant variation between countries, typically related to the general economic impact of the pandemic. There have also been various government support policies for the country economies in general or for specific sectors, such as buildings. Differences have been noted between vertical markets, with sectors such as travel, hospitality and retail especially badly hit, while healthcare, data centres and in some countries, education, remaining more buoyant.

On average the first half of the year saw the largest fall, with severe disruption caused by national lockdowns. In some instances, the worst effects were felt in the second half.

Sales of copper cable and connectivity declined globally by 15% with a consistent fall of between 14-16% in the main global regions. This was related to a severe disruption in non-residential construction with the delay or cancellation of many projects.

Fibre declined by 7%, however there was a much wider variation in the decline, from a stable market in Asia-Pacific to a drop of 14% in America. In countries where fibre sales held up this was often supported by increased investment in data centres partly driven by the effects of the pandemic in driving demand for web services.