USB Extender Market

Market Overview

The global USB extender market is estimated at USD 346 million in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 455.41 million by 2031, registering a CAGR of 3.1% from 2023 to 2031. 

Some of the factors propelling the market growth of USB extenders are portability, convenience, widespread compatibility, higher read and write speed, interoperability across all platforms, and improvements in security in the form of password protection. These are important advantages that have enabled the mass adoption of USB extenders over the years.

USB stands for Universal Serial Bus, which is an industry-standard that specifies the cable, connector, and protocols of communication between computers and other electronic devices for connection, communication, and power supply. The multitude of transfer modes it enables is another notable feature, which supports managed, continuous, bulk, and isochronous transfers. Due to the various applications, ease of growth, and production of custom products, the USB device market has experienced a massive expansion in recent years. Sales of USB products are also boosted by the demand for improved networking performance between electronic devices and advanced peripherals. The latest revision of the USB standard 'USB 3.0' allows faster transfer speeds, superior power management features, and higher maximum bus power in terms of technical advances, which is a crucial contributing factor to the success of this industry.

However, security concerns and difficulties in replacing old USB specifications with new ones are major restricting factors in the market. New opportunities for industry participants are being introduced by several innovations in this sector and emerging markets in Asia. Besides, the introduction of the USB 3.1 standard and the ever-increasing need for automotive wireless USB devices are expected to drive the market in near future.

Regional Analysis

Asia-Pacific’s Flourishing Healthcare Sector 

Asia-Pacific accounted for the largest market share in 2020 and is expected to dominate the market and is presumed to exhibit the fastest growth in the USB extender market during the forecast period. This is due to the enormous demand for computer peripherals and technologies which is supported by the exponential growth of the IT and Telecom sector. China Mobile is one of the world's largest mobile phone operators with around 800 million subscribers. Also, Prominent telecom players such as Huawei and ZTE hold a strong share in the 5G technology, which eventually has propelled the telecom sector’s growth. In addition to that, Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and others also possess immense potential for the USB extenders market growth due to the burgeoning automotive and telecom sector.

Extensive of Adoption of USB Extenders Among North American Healthcare Facilities

In North America, the increasing transition toward the adoption of digital interfaces and data center-based applications has propelled the market in the region. The growth of the market is also attributed to the usage of USB extenders in medical facilities which need a fast and accurate transfer of data. For instance, Ontario’s MedTech sector is experiencing surging growth with innovations in the medical technologies used in the treatment, mitigation, diagnosis, and prevention of disease.

Europe, the hub for manufacturing automobiles, is expected to see significant growth in Connected Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) which includes electronic components in its HUD and chassis such as cables, connectors, and others creating huge market scope in near future. Also, the proliferation of infotainment and telematics systems in the automotive sector has widely influenced the USB extender market growth.

Segmental Analysis

A Slew of USB 3.0 Features Allows it to Hold the Largest Marke Share 

The USB 3.0 segment is foreseen to hold the largest market share in 2020 and is expected to grow with the highest CAGR during the forecast period. USB 3.0 is used in high power, higher bandwidth, and large mass storage application which is common with innovations of cloud-based technology. Also, a faster speed of 4.8 Gbps enables it to complete duplex communication, and increasing the amount of power available to connected devices is the key enhancement in this segment, making it the most favorable USB for industrial usage. Favorable government initiatives focusing on imparting automation and digital technologies in the manufacturing industry have also widened the scope of the USB 3.0 market. On the other hand, USB 2.0 and USB 1.0 also held a substantial share in the market owing to the increasing penetration of computer peripherals in the market. The government of India is also taking the initiative to drive digitalization through programs including “National Knowledge Network” and “National Optic Fiber Network”, which has emerged as one of the crucial factors in the upswing of the electronics sector, driving the USB extender market in near future.

The Emergence of 5G Technology has Benefitted the Commercial Segment

The commercial segment is anticipated to dominate the market in 2020 and it is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The emergence of advanced technologies such as IoT, cloud computing, and 5G wireless, has helped in improving the efficiency of business processes, further widening digital ecosystems, thereby augmenting market growth. For instance, the emergence of 5G testing services in various countries such as the U.S., China, Switzerland, and others, coupled with several government initiatives have widely influenced the growth of the telecom sector.

Thriving Electronics and Autonomous Industry

The shift from conventional pen and paper to advanced electronic gadgets has resulted in ensuring the safety and durability of important data. The growth of electronics in the automotive industry is influenced by three determinants, such as electric vehicles, connected autonomous vehicles, and advanced driving assistance systems. Further, several countries are focusing on the adoption of clean energy initiatives for reducing the overall carbon content, which has raised the demand for USB extenders. Also, increasing focus on electric car technology among current players in developing countries, especially in Asia-Pacific is expected to create enormous market opportunities. Also, the rising need for more accurate testing in the medical sector has raised the demand for medical devices in hospitals in various applications such as MRI, CT scan, and Ultrasound. This medical solution makes it mandatory to adopt devices such as extenders for providing better connectivity and faster data transfer.

Impact of covid-19

COVID-19 has emerged as a global public health emergency that has set back the development of the global USB extender market. Globally, leading brand hypermarkets, stores, and showrooms have remained shut, impacting sales of different consumer electronics goods. As a result of the lockdown steps, businesses around the world have embraced remote work as a tool to continue their business processes. Work from home (WFH) has contributed to a rise in demand for computers, laptops, and peripherals for employees which is a positive sign for market growth.

Recent Developments

• In September 2019, Advantech and Acronis signed a “Global Distribution Agreement” for enhanced IoT cyber protection. With this agreement, Advantech aims to build a secure distribution channel and provide its customers with the benefits of Acronis product quality
• In August 2019, ATEN introduced two new models of USB peripherals—the US3310 2-port USB-C Dock Switch and the US3342 2-port USB-C Gen 2 Sharing Switch, facilitating new ways of connecting devices to a computer. Both these models support 85W USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 pass-through.
• In June 2019, Extron collaborated with Lifesize, a cloud-based video conferencing services provider, to provide AV control technology for its meeting room systems.
• In June 2019, Icron collaborated with Jabra, a manufacturer of the 180-degree Panoramic-4K plug-and-play video camera system, to provide Jabra’s PanaCast teleconferencing cameras an extended reach of USB 3.0 connections up to 100m over a single CAT 6a/7 cable using Icron’s USB 3-2-1 Raven Extender.