Global cabling market 2018
BSRIA Worldwide Market Intelligence (WMI) is a leading provider of high granularity global market reports in a wide range of HVAC segments including; heating and renewable technology, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration, energy and smart buildings, structured cabling, lighting, security, fire detection and building controls.
In April 2019, BSRIA WMI published its annual global cabling study revealing that the global structured cabling market had a very good year, increasing by 4.2% to USD 6.7 billion in 2018, a much better performance than 2017 (which saw an increase of just 1.8%).
Sales of cabling to the data centre segment increased by almost 6% in 2018 with many countries showing significant growth. China increased by almost 15% and European countries such as Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Poland increased by more than 10%. A high proportion of cabling products in data centres are fibre, which continued to increase.
The study also revealed the increasing use of single mode fibre cables in data centres used with pre-terminated devices (MPO/MTP) and for high bandwidth and / or longer distances.
The Local Area Network (LAN) segment also performed well, increasing by almost 4%. Copper products and in particular, copper cable sales, were boosted by; increasing uptake of Cat 6A, the uptake of plenum in Canada, and the implementation of the Construction Products Regulation in Europe (which recommends enhanced fire-resistant cables).
Lone Hansen, Senior Manager – IT Cabling, BACS & Associated Technologies, at BSRIA Worldwide Market Intelligence (WMI), said:
“While the European Union Construction Products Regulation commenced in July 2017, the market impact varies significantly by country as most rely on recommendation rather than enforcements. In the UK, the uptake of Class C cabling increased, now accounting for 25% in 2018 by value. In comparison the uptake of Class B and C accounted for just 4% in Germany and 15% in France.
“This highlights another key trend in cabling for 2018: a shift to premium products. The premium on Class C is today 10 – 40% compared to Class D and E in the UK, depending on supplier. In Canada, new fire regulations have increased the uptake of plenum cables, which are two – three times the cost of PVC cables. The uptake of Cat 6A is also increasing partly due to increasing use of PoE and partly due to lower premiums compared to Cat 6.”
BSRIA’s annual update on the global structured cabling markets includes 17 country reports and a World Overview. The 17 countries researched in 2018 and early 2019 are: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Sweden, UK and USA. The World Overview includes data for 39 countries.
Find out more at: https://www.bsria.co.uk/market-intelligence/market-reports/
--BSRIA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BACS market in North America.
- BSRIA.
- BSRIA articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- Building services.
- Convergence and big data, The impact on structured cabling.
- Data centre cooling.
- Global cabling market 2016.
- Global cabling market 2017.
- Large hyper data centres demand for precision cooling.
- Top 10 tips for efficient data centre management.
- Wireless vs wired building energy management system.
Featured articles and news
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”






















