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BOSTON – Global wireline equipment sales grew nearly 21% in the fourth quarter of 2007, and were up 18% for the full year, reports research firm Ovum.

The optical networking, switching and routing, and cable TV segments were each up at least 19%, and the DSLAM segment managed a 3% gain.

Wireline service provider capex was $32.6 billion, up 15.1% year-over-year; optical networking segment revenues were $4.4 billion, up 30.4%; switching and routing segment revenues were $3 billion, up 19%; cable TV equipment segment revenues were $850 million, up 24.4%, and broadband equipment revenues were $1.1 billion, down 4.2% year-over-year.

“Fears that service providers would reduce spending preemptively due to recession worries proved unfounded,” said John Lively, vice president, network infrastructure at Ovum. “Global spending on wireline equipment grew by nearly 9% in the fourth quarter of 2007, as service providers like AT&T, Comcast, KDDI, KPN, Swisscom and TeliaSonera continued to invest in network capabilities in support of new services. ”

BANNOCKBURN, IL – Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the factory.

With the industry still reeling in some circles from the after-shocks of the RoHS Directive, a proposed list of nearly 50 additional substances has touched off an uproar over Europe’s apparent desire to obliterate modern electronics. In the latest volley, IPC is calling on the organization charged with assessing potentially hazardous substances for possible inclusion in supplemental legislation to the RoHS Directive to table its efforts until further scientific evidence is available to support a ban.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – February PCB shipments among North American fabricators fell 0.3% and bookings jumped 15.4% year-over-year, IPC reported today. Year-to-date, combined industry shipments are up 1.8%, while bookings are up 13.3%. Sequentially, combined industry shipments for the month were up 3% and bookings were up 21%.

The book-to-bill moved up to 0.99, meaning that for every $100 boards sold, $99 in orders were received.

Rigid PCB bookings were up 15.6% and shipments were down 0.7% year-over-year, IPC said. Year to-date, rigid PCB shipments are up 2.3% and bookings are up 14.7%. Sequentially, rigid PCB shipments increased 1.7% and rigid bookings increased 20.6%.

The rigid book-to-bill ratio crept up to 0.99, said IPC.

Flexible circuit shipments in February were up 5.9% and bookings were up 12.4% compared to the same month last year. Year to-date, flex circuit shipments are down 6.2% and bookings are off 5.1%. Compared to the previous month, flexible circuit shipments were up 25.3% and flex bookings rose 27.7%.

The flex book-to-bill ratio held steady at 0.96.

ALAMEDA, CA – Technology Forecasters announced the agenda for its Quarterly Forum to be held in Tempe, AZ, April 23 and 24.

Agenda highlights include electronic manufacturing in Vietnam; five-year outsourcing forecast; industry executive panel discussion; the changing landscape of outsourcing, and profitable environmental strategies.

The gathering provides electronics industry executives from member companies with industry market data and forecasts, and the opportunity to discuss trends and issues with TFI consultants and industry peers.

Jabil, SAP America and Avnet Inc. are sponsoring the day-and-a-half event, which includes panel discussions and breakout working sessions.

For more information, contact Diane Krandel at dkrandel@techforecasters.com.