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PRYSMIAN GROUP | DIRECTORS’ REPORT
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cell deployment. The technology offers three access types for outdoor and indoor FTTA deployment, as well
as backhaul solutions – incorporating the latest fibre technologies.
Copper cables
Prysmian Group also produces a wide range of copper cables for underground and overhead cabling
solutions and for both residential and commercial buildings. The product portfolio comprises cables of
different capacity, including broadband xDSL cables and those designed for high transmission, low
interference and electromagnetic compatibility.
Multimedia Solutions
The Group also produces cable solutions serving communication needs in infrastructure, industry and
transport, for a diverse range of applications: cables for television and film studios, cables for rail networks
such as underground cables for long-distance telecommunications, light-signalling cables and cables for
track switching devices, as well as cables for mobile telecommunications antennae and for data centres.
MARKET OVERVIEW
Although the global optical fibre cables market grew in 2015 there were large regional differences. In fact,
there was growth in demand in fast-developing markets (China and Asia) and in those with high
communication infrastructure needs (India), along with a volume recovery in North America and Europe. In
France and Italy, projects to extend residential broadband access, in accordance with the European Digital
Agenda's targets, played a crucial role in this upturn. Even in Central Europe the distribution of bandwidth via
xDSL and G.FAST technologies, using the last metres of the existing copper network, entails the use of huge
volumes of optical cables to upgrade distribution networks. In Brazil, uncertainty about the country's
macroeconomic performance and growth prospects led to a slowdown in investments by major telecom
operators. North America recorded a steady increase in domestic demand, in line with the positive trend
during the last part of 2014.
In parallel with the traditional activities of developing the fixed network, 2015 was marked by the
consolidation of wireless technologies (4G, LTE) which require the installation of optical backbones to power
antennae located across the territory. Mobile technology has been undergoing a period of major growth both
in developing countries, in the absence of costly investment in fixed network infrastructure, and in mature
countries where demand for broadband on portable devices is constantly multiplying.
The Access/Broadband/FTTx market grew in 2015, mainly in Europe, with demand driven by the
development of optical fibre communication infrastructure. In addition to cables, this segment includes a
varied portfolio of accessories for fibre connection. However, the still relatively low maturity of these products
implies wide market differences between the various geographical areas.
The copper cables market continued to slow not only because of the economic downturn in the past two
years, causing some major operators to scale back their larger investment projects, but also because of
product maturity. The decline in this market was increasingly evident in 2015, with high demand for internet