Global consumption of photonic switches and switch matrices will increase dramatically within 10 years, according to a recent report published by ElectroniCast Corp., a communications market watchdog. In 1996 photonic switches and matrices accounted for $94 million in sales. ElectroniCast projects that number will increase to $3.2 billion by 2006. Most of the current market consists of simple, conventional switches. Complex switch matrix systems will take up an increasingly dominant share of the market, the forecaster said. North America leads in the consumption of photonic switch technology, accounting for nearly 72 percent of the market. Europe takes up 16 percent of the market, followed closely by Japan/Pacific Rim with 12 percent.