“Fiber-optic broadband CPE device shipments are expected to increase 12% in 2015 although DSL and cable CPE device markets are likely to see a slight decline in total shipments,” comments Jake Saunders, VP and Practice Director.

Since operators continue to upgrade broadband networks, the rate of consumer migration to more advanced broadband platforms is increasing. “The rapidly increasing fiber-optic broadband subscriber base is driving the growth in fiber-optic CPE shipments. Asia-Pacific accounts for more than 70% of fiber-optic CPE shipments for its fast fiber broadband net growth rate. A total of 22 million FTTH subscribers were added in 2014,” adds Khin Sandi Lynn, Industry Analyst.

In 2015, DSL CPE shipments are expected to drop around 2% from 2014. The DSL broadband device market will mainly be driven by the subscribers upgrading to higher speed platforms such as VDSL and G.fast in the years to come. In the cable CPE market, DOCSIS 3.0 accounts for approximately 90% of total shipments. Cable companies are now testing transmission of the newer cable standard DOCSIS 3.1 which can deliver up to 10 Gbps downstream speed. DOCSIS 3.1 devices are expected to enter the broadband CPE market in late 2016.

According to ABI Research’s market data, ZTE maintains the highest market share in the broadband CPE market which includes modems, fixed routers, and residential gateways. ZTE holds around 19% of the broadband CPE market in 1Q 2015, which is followed by ARRIS and Huawei.