Patch Cable Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product Type (Copper cable, Fiber optic), By Cable Category (Cat 3, Cat 5, Cat 5E, Cat 6, Cat 6A, Cat 7, RG 6, Multimode optic fiber, Others), By Applications (Networking, Non-Networking), By End-User (Industrial, Enterprise, IT and security, Other) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2022-2030

Market Overview

The global patch cable market size was valued at USD 3,385.76 million in 2021. It is projected to reach USD 8,383.62 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.6% during the forecast period (2022–2030).

A patch cable is a cabling connection used to link two computers or other electrical devices through a network. These cables, which feature connectors on both ends and are used to connect an end device to a power supply, are also known as patch cords. Fiber patch cables and Ethernet patch cables, such as LC fiber patch cables or Cat6 patch cables, are similar to Ethernet cables. Patch cables are frequently used in offices and wire closets for short distances. An Ethernet patch cable can connect a computer to a network hub, router, or Ethernet switch, making it helpful for building home computer networks. Presently, data transfer and networking are integral to all commercial activity in industries, businesses, broadcasting, and other fields. These business activities generate significant volumes of data daily, which must be securely shared between devices. Therefore, the global market for patch cables has applications in networking and non-networking connections inside industries.

Furthermore, residential, institutional, healthcare, IT and network security, and enterprise users require patch cables since they are simple to install and secure and offer numerous advantages over alternative connecting methods. They enhance the performance of linked devices by transferring data at a rapid rate. In addition, these cables provide several benefits, including reduced latency, low noise interference, simple installation, and dependability. Due to the rising need for high-speed communication devices and systems and the development of cable technology, the global patch cable market is expanding at an astounding rate.

Market Dynamics

Global patch cable market drivers

Escalating demand for high-speed connectivity devices and system

Industrial applications increasingly rely on devices and systems for high-speed connectivity to securely facilitate data transmission. Utilizing high-speed networking lines enables production facilities to evaluate real-time data and adapt production procedures accordingly. Numerous connected devices, such as networked security cameras or IP cameras, necessitate two connections: the power connection and the real network connection. Patch cables offer various typical transmission methods for PoE cabling. This advantage of patch cables is anticipated to create attractive market expansion chances.

Improved cable applications

Cable technology has seen consistent development over the years. They are primarily classified as copper and fiber-optic cables. Copper cables find widespread use due to their low cost and significant security and dependability, whereas fiber-optic cables are used in the oil and gas business. Copper cables range from Category 1 to 8, based on the data transfer frequency and rate. Category 6A, which has a data transmission speed of 10000 Mbps and is extensively utilized for applications such as CDDI, toke rings, ATM, digital video, broadband, and baseband analog videos, is the most recommended cable.

Global patch cable market restraint

Negative impact of internet-of-things

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the object equipped with sensors, processing power, software, and other technologies that connect to and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet or other communication networks. The idea of IoT (Internet of things) has emerged as an outcome of technological advancement, rapidly expanding the number of devices connected. This is likely to lead to the failure of wired networking, as it is impossible to link several devices through a wired network, limiting the patch cable market growth.

Global patch cable market opportunities

Increasing data center development

The world is quickly moving in the direction of greater automation and increased connectivity. The increase in demand for cloud storage has led to a proliferation of data centers around the globe, which in turn consumes enormous amounts of data. A data center centralizes the IT operations and equipment of a company. It houses computer systems and other components, such as storage and communications equipment, and is utilized for data storage, administration, and dissemination across numerous devices.

According to estimates, there are 2,510 data centers in the United States, most of which are located along the Atlantic Seaboard. Patch cables are necessary for data centers for peripheral device communication. AC/DC power, ground, copper, and fiber optic network cables are the primary types utilized in data centers. Consequently, the growth of data centers in the region contributes to an increase in the demand for patch cables for connectivity and networking, which benefits the market growth.

Regional Analysis

North america dominates the global market

By region, the global patch cable market is spread across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

North America is the most significant shareholder in the global patch cable market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.2% during the forecast period. As a result of technological developments, new product introductions, and financial investments in the sector, there is a rising need for high-performance patch cables in the North American market. Patch cables have gained popularity in North America because of the growing demand for a safe and dependable means of communication. The rising use of fiber-optic Ethernet cables in regional applications is anticipated to fuel market expansion. In recent years, the proliferation of high-tech businesses, the widespread use of fiber-optic cables, and the growing popularity of broadcasting have all been important factors propelling the North American patch cable market. One of the main factors driving this market's expansion is the concentration of major companies in this area. In addition, the increasing sophistication of Ethernet cable technology for usage in manufacturing and broadcasting is anticipated to boost the global market in this area.

Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.1%, generating USD 1,411.66 million during the forecast period. Europe's patch cable market is analyzed across the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, France, Russia, and the remainder of Europe. Due to an increase in demand for high-speed data services and high-bandwidth optical fiber cables for communication, this region is projected to grow considerably over the forecast period. Europe is expected to hold a considerable proportion of the global market. Passive optical networks (PONs) are a prevalent network technology in Europe that may soon exceed its capacity due to slow data transfer speed. Due to a surge in technology adoption in this region, the need for high-bandwidth optical fiber for communication and data services has expanded dramatically, fueling the market's expansion. In addition, cable management products are popular in European home appliances, infrastructure, IT, building, and manufacturing industries.

The Asia-Pacific patch cable market is analyzed across countries such as China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and others. Growing demands for the internet in emerging nations such as India, China, and Taiwan, as well as a rise in industrialization and understanding of the technology's benefits, have contributed to the rapid expansion of the market in developing economies. In addition, technical advancements and increased fiber to the X (FTTX) penetration have driven market expansion in this region. Asia-Pacific will also dominate the market due to the increasing penetration of optical fiber technology in developing economies, mainly due to the number of forthcoming projects, such as smart cities.

In addition, the Asia-Pacific region has enormous prospects for cable management market participants. Due to China's booming GDP, Prysmian, one of the world's leading cable manufacturing businesses, prefers to expand in China. Due to the expansion of technological developments and the increasing use of technology in the IT, telecommunications, and administrative sectors, Asia-Pacific is a market region with tremendous prospects. In addition, the increased adoption of technology in the healthcare and medical industries has created market potential in this region.

The optical fiber market in LAMEA grows more slowly than in other regions due to the slow adoption of FTTx due to the slow expansion of fixed broadband. LAMEA has been an emerging market for FTTx technology as a result of rising consumer demand and the government's broadband initiatives. The Middle East and Africa are experiencing a surge in demand for efficient public services such as energy, cable networks, and roads. Increased need for energy-efficient, cost-effective, and high-level IT infrastructure integration is expected to be the primary driver driving market expansion. In addition, the growth of optical fiber applications in the industrial, telecommunications, sensors, and community access television (CATV) sectors have contributed to the expansion of the LAMEA market. A surge in demand for optical telecommunication services and an increase in the modernization effects of service providers have created growth opportunities for the sector. Additionally, rising industrialization in LAMEA due to increased commercial projects and infrastructural developments in the IT and telecom sector makes the region attractive for market growth.

Segmental Analysis

The global patch cable market is segmented by product type, cable category, applications, and end-user.

Based on the product, the global market is bifurcated into copper cable and fiber optic.

The copper cable segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.2% during the forecast period. The market's expansion is linked to an increase in fiber optic patch cable use in telecommunications equipment. Due to its tensile strength, ductility, thermal expansion, corrosion resistance, and elasticity, copper is utilized in patch cables. For instance, CAT8 cables, the market's most modern copper patch cables, offer a copper option for 10-Gigabit Ethernet at 30 meters.

Fiber optic patch cables' qualities, such as high bandwidth, rapid speed, high durability and flexibility, and low total cost of ownership, make them more popular in many end-user applications, which boosts market expansion. Furthermore, as the market grows, many manufacturers are providing fiber optic patch cables for applications such as data transmission, link aggregation, mobility or wireless infrastructure, severe environments, and military and aerospace applications.

Based on the cable category, the global market is divided into Cat 3, Cat 5, Cat 5E, Cat 6, Cat 6A, Cat 7, RG 6, Multimode Optical Fiber, and others.

The multimode optical fiber owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.1% during the forecast period. Multimode optical fiber cable has a large core diameter that lets light travel in more than one mode. Most of the time, multimode fiber is used to send signals over shorter distances. This fiber allows users to connect at high speeds over moderate distances with a lot of bandwidth. Multimode optical fiber can be utilized in high-speed and large-capacity networks and provides several benefits, including high dispersion and more significant data transmission capacities. It is typically used for cable company networks, LAN, RF broadband systems, and short-distance network setups.

Category 7 cable is a completely insulated cable that can accommodate up to 10 Gbps (10,000 Mbps) and bandwidths up to 600 Mhz. CAT 7 cables are made up of screened, shielded twisted pair (SSTP) wires and the insulation and shielding layers that go with them. This twisted pair of wires is longer than that of CAT 6 cables. The shielding makes the patch wire bigger, more cumbersome, and more difficult to bend. Additionally, each shielding layer must be grounded to improve the patch cable's performance against CAT 6 or CAT 5 cables. Category 7 patch cable is designed for applications that require the transmission of frequencies up to 600 Mbps.

Based on application, the global market is bifurcated into networking and non-networking.

The networking segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.7% during the forecast period. Networking cables are networking devices that link one network device to another. Various network cables, such as coaxial, optical fiber, and twisted pair cables, are utilized based on the physical layer, network topology, and network size. There are various networking technologies available. Patch cables are used in offices and wire closets for short distances. Electrical connections via twisted pairs or coaxial cables are utilized within a building. Optical fiber cable is employed for long distances or applications requiring high bandwidth or electrical isolation.

A non-networking patch cable enables the transport of audio and video data and facilitates the connection of several non-networking computer peripherals. Headphone extension cables, microphone cables, RCA connections, XLR connectors, TRS phone connector cables, Tiny Telephone (TT) connectors, and patch panel cables are examples of non-networking patch cables. Video and amplified signals may be transmitted using thick (snake) wires.

Based on end-user, the global market is divided into the industrial, enterprise, and IT and network security.

The IT and network security segment is the highest contributor in the market and is expected to grow rapidly at a CAGR of 17.8% during the forecast period. In IT and network security, patch cables are available in various lengths and configurations, locking dustcovers for unused ports and an extension handle. This makes it easier to access cabinets with a high storage capacity. Security has become a significant concern with the increased transit of sector data volumes. Furthermore, robust and up-to-date networks serve as the foundation for digitalization and secure data transmission. The rise in security concerns and expansion of IT sector applications are projected to create a lucrative market for the IT and network patch cable segment due to its advantages over wireless technology.

Patch cables are frequently used in the industrial sector. These are employed to control, link, and transmit data between machines and systems in a wide range of industries. Ethernet use in an industrial setting frequently necessitates more robust connectors, cables, and performance under demanding conditions. Increases in industrialization and automation technologies in industries are expected to accelerate the market's growth.

Recent Developments

• July 2022- Microsoft and CommScope collaborated to improve industrial manufacturing with private wireless network solutions.
• October 2022- Black Box stated that the Philadelphia Eagles are deploying Emerald SE and PE KVM-over-IP systems throughout the team's facilities and production sites to assist game-day production.