The plastic optical fiber (POF) data business is going through a period of extraordinary growth driven by the automotive manufacturers in Europe by new technology development. Industrial controls medical applications continue to be the bedrock of the industry, they, too, are experiencing healthy growth. Unlike the telecommunications field, the POF business covers many industries is as vulnerable to industry downturns.
New technological developments in sources, connectors, fibers are expanding the bandwidth-distance limits of POF into new applications. After many years of playing second fiddle to the glass optical fiber business, POF is now starting to get the recognition it deserves. Some are even saying that POF could be a disruptive technology.

Over the last year, there has been a dramatic increase in the GI-POF technology its availability in the market. This has resulted in increased interest by component suppliers end users. The market for short, high-speed optical links is experiencing extraordinary growth. These links are less than 100 meters, with speeds up to 20Gbps.