What LightCounting does

LightCounting is a privately held B2B market research firm founded in 2004 by Vladimir Kozlov and headquartered in Mill Valley, California. The company provides market intelligence, forecasts, and strategic analysis for the global optical communications industry, covering the full supply chain from optical and semiconductor components through modules, sub-systems, and applications in telecom networks, data centers, and AI clusters. Its research spans more than 200 product categories across Ethernet optics, DWDM, FTTx, wireless fronthaul/backhaul, cloud data center optics, silicon photonics, linear pluggable optics, co-packaged optics, and optical sensors. The firm's core differentiator is direct access to confidential sales data from more than 20 transceiver vendors and proprietary forecast models that correlate component shipments with network traffic and AI infrastructure investment patterns.

LightCounting monetizes primarily through subscription-based access to its research portfolio plus individual report purchases. Comprehensive market reports are priced at $5,995 each, shorter research notes at $595, with bundled subscription access to all reports; the LightTrends newsletter is available in free and premium tiers. Custom consulting engagements provide a professional-services revenue stream alongside publishing. The firm tracks financial results of approximately 40 companies quarterly and produces forecasts out to 2031, supported by Excel databases and PowerPoint deliverables used directly by clients in investor presentations and strategic planning.

The company serves optical component and module manufacturers, cloud data center operators (including hyperscalers and major Chinese internet platforms), global telecom service providers, network equipment and switch ASIC vendors, and institutional investors. Named clients include Coherent, Ciena, Sumitomo Electric Device Innovations, AT&T, BT, Deutsche Telekom, NTT, and Orange. Distribution is sales-led via direct enterprise relationships and an authenticated client portal, supplemented by an e-commerce storefront for individual report purchases, white papers used for lead generation, and active participation in major industry events (OFC, ECOC, CIOE, OCP, PTC, SC). The analyst team of approximately 10-15 includes veterans of AMD, Omdia, TeleGeography, Linley Group, RHK, and Infonetics, and the firm has operated without disclosed outside funding or parent company control for 20+ years.

Name

LightCounting

Legal name

LightCounting LLC

Website

https://lightcounting.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

LightCounting is a B2B market research firm providing forecasts, intelligence, and analysis of the global optical communications supply chain — components through AI clusters — to telecom operators, hyperscalers, optical component vendors, and investors via subscription reports and consulting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Eugene

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Market Research Reports: Sale of comprehensive market reports covering Ethernet optics, DWDM, FTTx, wireless, cloud data center, AI clusters, silicon photonics, CPO, optical sensors, and telecom network transformation. Reports priced from $595 to $5,995 each.
2. Newsletter Subscriptions: Free and premium newsletter subscriptions providing industry updates and market intelligence
3. Research Notes: Shorter research notes on specific topics priced at $595 or free with subscription
4. Consulting Services: Custom consulting and research projects for strategic business decisions

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LightCounting is a B2B market research firm that sells subscription-based and individually purchased market intelligence reports covering optical communications, data center and AI cluster optics, telecom network transformation, silicon photonics, and related semiconductor supply chains. Its core offering combines quantitative forecast models, quarterly market updates, sector-specific reports (e.g., Ethernet optics, cloud data center optics, optical sensors, access optics), research notes, and newsletters, supported by proprietary vendor-survey data and analyst expertise.

Product overview

LightCounting is a market research company offering a comprehensive portfolio of research products focused on the global communications industry, particularly optical networks, data centers, and AI infrastructure. The core offerings include market forecast reports, sector-specific reports (Ethernet Optics, Cloud Data Center Optics, Telecom Network Transformation, Access Optics, Optical Sensors), and quarterly market updates. Supplementary products include research notes on specialized topics (silicon photonics, CPO/NPO, LPO/LRO), the LightTrends newsletter, and the annual CPO/NPO Conference. The company tracks over 200 different product categories across Ethernet, DWDM, FTTx, wireless, and AI cluster applications, serving major technology companies including Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle, Alibaba, Baidu, ByteDance, Huawei, and Tencent.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Market Forecast Reports Comprehensive market demand forecasts for optical transceivers and related products used in Ethernet, CWDM/DWDM, FTTx, wireless infrastructure, cloud data center, and AI Cluster applications. Includes historical data (2022-2025) and forecasts (2026-2031) for 200+ product categories, delivered as PowerPoint slides and Excel spreadsheets with shipments, prices, and revenues data, priced at $5,995 per report.
• Ethernet Optics Reports Analysis of the impact of growing data traffic and changing data center architecture on the market for Ethernet optical transceivers, with focus on high-speed modules used in AI Clusters. Covers 100GbE through 3.2T products, priced at $5,995 per report.
• Cloud Data Center Optics Reports Analysis of the impact of AI Clusters and Cloud Data Centers on the market for Ethernet and DWDM optical transceivers, with comprehensive forecasts for product categories from 10G to 3.2T. Priced at $5,995 per report.
• Telecom Network Transformation Reports Surveys of telecom service providers' progress in network transformation, focusing on the impact of AI on networks and TSPs' progress in turning AI into business opportunities. Covers top 15 telecom service providers, priced at $5,995 per report.
• Quarterly Market Updates Snapshots of the health of the telecom and datacom value chain based on publicly announced financial results and news from tracked companies. Includes approximately 40 PowerPoint slides and Excel spreadsheets with shipments, prices, and revenues data, priced at $5,995 per quarterly report.
• Silicon Photonics, LPO/LRO and NPO/CPO Reports In-depth analysis of the impact of silicon photonics on the market for optical transceivers, AOCs, LPO, LRO, NPO, and CPO, with forecasts segmented by application and product categories. Priced at $5,995 per report.
• Optical Sensors Reports Analysis of the business opportunity for suppliers of optical components in the market for lidars and 3D depth sensors used in cars, smartphones, and other applications, including bio-medical sensors. Priced at $5,995 per report.
• Access Optics Reports Analysis of the market outlook for FTTx optics and optics used in wireless network fronthaul, midhaul, and backhaul. Covers current and future network access architectures and next-generation technologies, priced at $5,995 per report.
• AOCs, DACs, Linear Drive Pluggable and Co-Packaged Optics Reports Examination of optical interconnect segments serving as data bridges between elements of large systems in communication networks and data centers, covering products from 10G to 3.2T. Priced at $5,995 per report.
• Optics for AI Clusters Reports Exploration of the evolving role of optics in AI Clusters covering both connectivity and switching, with detailed models for deployment at major cloud companies. Priced at $5,995 per report.
• LightTrends Newsletter Subscription Regular newsletters providing timely analysis and highlights from the global communications industry, including AI clusters, datacenters, and optical networks. Available in English and Chinese editions with both free and premium (paid) subscription tiers.
• Research Notes Shorter, focused research notes on specialized industry topics priced at $595 each, with some available free on the Resources page. Cover topics such as AI reshaping of optical networking, advances in PIC packaging, supply chain financial results, NPO modularity trade-offs, Nvidia's system design and partnerships, and conference takeaways from OFC, PTC, and SC events.
• Vendors & Markets for Optics in China Report China-specific market research report analyzing vendors and markets for optics in China, serving regional clients and global clients tracking the Chinese optical market. Priced at $5,995 per report.
• Optical Vendor Landscape Report Recurring report providing an overview of the optical component and module vendor landscape, supporting competitive intelligence and supplier benchmarking for enterprise clients. Priced at $5,995 per report.
• PAM4 and Coherent DSPs Report Recurring report analyzing the PAM4 and coherent DSP market, supporting technology planning for high-speed optical interconnect. Priced at $5,995 per report.
• Ethernet, Optical, and Scale-Up Switches for Cloud Data Centers Report Recurring report covering Ethernet, optical, and scale-up switches for cloud data centers, supporting switch ASIC vendors and cloud operators with market sizing and technology transition analysis. Priced at $5,995 per report.
• Ethernet, InfiniBand and Optical Switches for Cloud Data Centers Report Recurring report covering Ethernet, InfiniBand, and optical switches for cloud data centers, supporting switch ASIC and networking silicon vendors with market sizing and CPO adoption planning. Priced at $5,995 per report.
• CPO/NPO Virtual Conference Paid virtual conference focused on Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) and Near-Packaged Optics (NPO) topics, scheduled for July 15, 2026 and delivered via Zoom webinar to registered attendees.
• Custom Consulting and Research Projects Custom consulting and research projects for enterprise clients supporting strategic business decisions, leveraging LightCounting's proprietary vendor data, forecast models, and analyst expertise for tailored engagements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ product categories tracked in forecast database
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Mojo VisionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2026Marvell Technology and Mojo Vision announced collaboration to develop micro-LED-based optical interconnect solutions for AI data center infrastructure. The new technology aims to enhance bandwidth density, power efficiency, and reliability, with development supported by an investment from Marvell in Mojo Vision's financing round. Note: This is a partnership between Marvell and Mojo Vision - LightCounting is covering this as industry news in their research.
• Photon DeltaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLightCounting participated in PIC Summit USA organized by Photon Delta, a Dutch photonic integrated circuit ecosystem organization. LightCounting analysts contributed presentations and attended networking events at this industry gathering focused on silicon photonics and co-packaged optics.
• Open Compute Project (OCP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLightCounting analysts attend and present at OCP events globally. OCP launched a partnership with IOWN Global Forum extending optical connectivity discussions to metro and long-haul networks. LightCounting provides market intelligence coverage of OCP activities and photonic initiatives.
• Optica (Formerly OSA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLightCounting participates in Optica's Executive Forum held alongside OFC conferences. Analysts provide coverage and insights from these industry gatherings. Optica is a leading professional organization for optics and photonics.
• HiSilicon OptoelectronicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLightCounting and HiSilicon Optoelectronics jointly hosted a session at CIOE-2025 titled 'Optical Interconnects Empower the Evolution of Computing Networks in the New AI Era'. Session featured experts from multiple companies discussing AI networking requirements and solutions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• TeleGeography:

Direct peers

• Dell'Oro Group: Independent market research firm covering telecom infrastructure, data center, and optical networking equipment. Directly comparable to LightCounting for optical transceiver, DWDM, and wireless backhaul research, serving overlapping vendor and service provider clients.
• Omdia: Large-scale technology research firm (formerly IHS Markit/Informa Tech) covering optical components, networking, and semiconductors. Competes directly with LightCounting in optical components and telecom network research; several LightCounting analysts previously worked at Omdia/Infonetics.
• Cignal AI: Specialized market research firm covering optical networking, cloud, and packet transport. Directly comparable niche competitor to LightCounting, focusing on similar vendor and service provider clients in optical and AI interconnect markets.
• 650 Group: Independent research firm covering data center networking, cloud, and Ethernet switching. Overlaps with LightCounting in cloud data center optics and Ethernet/InfiniBand switch coverage, serving similar enterprise and vendor clients.
• Yole Group: Research and consulting firm covering semiconductor, photonics, and optical component markets including silicon photonics, LiDAR, and 3D sensing. Comparable to LightCounting for optical sensors, silicon photonics, and photonic integrated circuit coverage.
• The Linley Group: Independent research firm covering communications semiconductors, networking chips, and processor architectures. Comparable to LightCounting's coverage of PAM4/Coherent DSPs and switching ASICs; Bob Wheeler was previously VP at The Linley Group before joining LightCounting.

Broad incumbents

• IDC: Global market intelligence firm covering IT, telecom, and semiconductors at scale. Broad incumbent serving the same enterprise buyers as LightCounting with bundled research subscriptions, though not specialized in optical interconnects.
• Gartner: Largest IT research and advisory firm, covering enterprise infrastructure, networking, and semiconductors. Broad incumbent that occasionally overlaps with LightCounting on optical networking and data center infrastructure themes but at a portfolio level rather than niche depth.

Emerging players

• Counterpoint Research: Global research firm covering technology, media, and telecom sectors. Partial overlap with LightCounting for semiconductor and connectivity research, though broader and less specialized in optical communications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lightcounting
• Xx.com/lightcounting

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LightCounting