Optical fibre cables market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian optical fibre cable market remained stable in 2018 and 2019, with annual volumes around 13 000 t. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic increased demand for remote work and online services, but widespread supply chain disruptions slowed production and distribution, leading to a contraction in market volume to 12 319 t.

Market volume recovered to 13 086 t in 2021, driven by sustained investments from telecom operators in ultra-broadband networks and the expanding wholesale footprint of Open Fiber, which strengthened its market leadership. In 2022, consumption dipped slightly to 12 539 t, a period when the Agcom regulation n. 257/23/CONS established new technical standards for outdoor fibre optic cables and fibre compatibility, laying groundwork for future infrastructure upgrades.

A sharp increase to 15 392 t occurred in 2023, supported by continued telecom investments targeting fibre and 5G networks, while Open Fiber reached approximately 60% national coverage. Growth accelerated further in 2024, with volume reaching 20 276 t, propelled by the expansion of FiberCop's fixed network, the updated Agcom technical decree n. 459/24/CONS, and rising prices due to strong demand and constrained supply for specific fibre types such as G.657A2 and G.652D.

Production optical fibre cables in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's production of optical fibre cables was valued at 115.0 million US dollars, representing a 12.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 17.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 1.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Italy produced 8,347 tonnes of optical fibre cables, which is 11.7% less than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 22.7%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 8.2%. The largest decrease was recorded in 2018 at 14.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports optical fibre cables from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Exports of optical fibre cables from Italy declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 2,534 tonnes, showing a significant decrease of 10.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 56.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -24.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's export partner portfolio for optical fibre cables in kind was quite broad. Spain accounted for 24.0% of exports in kind, the United Kingdom for 11.9%, and Belgium for 7.8%. Together, these three countries represented only 43.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of optical fibre cables from Italy declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totalled 34.2 million US dollars, marking a sharp decrease of 51.3% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 54%, with a compound annual growth rate of -22.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 78.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 5.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Romania, Spain, and the United Kingdom formed the key group of partners for Italy's exports of optical fibre cables in value terms. Romania accounted for 24.2% of exports in value, Spain for 18.6%, and the United Kingdom for 11.1%. Together, they represented 53.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020

Imports optical fibre cables to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Imports of optical fibre cables into Italy declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 6,506 tonnes, indicating a slight decline of 0.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 7,016 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 2.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 6.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Romania, and South Korea played notable but not dominant roles as suppliers of optical fibre cables to Italy in kind. Spain accounted for 29.6% of imports in kind, Romania for 9.6%, and South Korea for 9.4%. Their combined share reached only 48.7% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of optical fibre cables into Italy declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Italy imported 91.8 million US dollars worth of optical fibre cables, representing a steep drop of 28.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 19.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 132.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 15.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of Italy's imports of optical fibre cables in value terms remained scattered. Spain accounted for 15.9% of imports in value, South Korea for 12.3%, and China for 11.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for just 39.3% of total flows, with no single partner standing out as clearly dominant.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020