Optical fibre cables market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish optical fibre cable market was initially propelled by the launch of the 'España Digital 2025' plan in 2018, which set a target for universal 100 Mbps broadband coverage and spurred the expansion of FTTH networks nationwide. The entry of a new alternative operator, Digi Spain, intensified competition and boosted demand for fibre cables, contributing to a sharp market surge in 2019. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily slowed civil works for infrastructure installation, leading to a contraction in market size despite increased need for high-speed connectivity for remote work and education.

Post-pandemic recovery in 2021 was supported by public funding programs like 'UNICO - Edificios,' which financed fibre upgrades in residential buildings. The following year, the market adjusted even as new regulatory measures took effect. The General Telecommunications Law of 2022 simplified deployment procedures for fibre and 5G backhaul, and the first 'UNICO 5G Redes-Backhaul' subsidies created additional demand for high-capacity cables, laying groundwork for future network expansion.

By 2023, FTTH accesses reached 86% of all fixed broadband lines, reflecting high market penetration. New rules allowed operators to install fibre on building facades without individual owner consent, accelerating urban deployments, though an increase in the ICIO tax on such installations added to costs. In 2024, the NextGenerationEU recovery plan allocated European funds for fibre network enlargement, while updated EU Construction Product Regulations introduced stricter fire performance requirements for cables, prompting manufacturers to adapt their products.

Production optical fibre cables in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's optical fibre cable production declined after two years of growth. In 2020, output was valued at 98.9 million US dollars, representing a significant 22.1% decrease compared to 2019. Production reached its peak in 2019 at 126.9 million US dollars. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 33.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 10.0%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 33.3%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Spain produced 6,886 tonnes of optical fibre cables, marking a strong 16.9% year-on-year increase. Production hit its lowest point in 2019 at 5,893 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 7.9% during the period. From 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 8.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%.

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

Exports optical fibre cables from Spain

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 6,469 tonnes, which experienced the largest decline of 31.9%. In 2020, deliveries from Spain surged to 12,232 tonnes, a steep 89.1% increase compared to 2019. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019 was 1.9-fold.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain's exports in volume terms were distributed across a diverse range of partners. Mexico accounted for 10.7% of exports, Portugal for 8.6%, and France for 8.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 27.8% of total flows, while the remaining 72.2% was spread among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Spain's optical fibre cable exports increased. In 2020, exports reached 100.6 million US dollars, up 63.2% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 61.6 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 36.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 7.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain's export landscape in value terms was broad. France accounted for 14.5% of exports, Portugal for 9.3%, and Mexico for 5.9%. Combined, these three partners represented only 29.7% of total flows, with the remaining 70.3% going to many other countries.

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

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

Imports optical fibre cables to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Imports of optical fibre cables into Spain increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 11,734 tonnes, showing a modest 8.4% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 48.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main sources for Spain's imports in volume terms were China, with a 38.3% share, Czechia at 12.8%, and the United Kingdom at 9.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 60.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of optical fibre cables into Spain declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 103.6 million US dollars, down 9.9% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 120.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 35.9%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 16.4%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 5.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China led as the top supplier of optical fibre cables to Spain in value terms, accounting for 42.5% of imports. Czechia followed with 11.7%, and Poland with 6.7%. Together, these three countries represented 60.9% of total import value.

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

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