Strong growth continues for the worldwide optical networking market in 2006, according to IDC.

This year looks to be extremely positive for the optical networking equipment market, according to IDC. Outpacing the general growth of the telecommunications market, the worldwide optical networking market will increase at a 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR), rising from $7.9 billion in 2005 to over $13.9 billion in 2010.

"Prospects for the optical networking market continue to improve as service providers are replacing legacy equipment with next-generation equipment faster than expected," said David Emberley, research manager, Telecommunications Equipment,