The optical transport equipment market grew 22% to $8.4 billion in 2005, according to data released this week by the Dell’Oro Group.

Most of that growth came from the North American market, the research analysis firm said, though all geographic regions saw strong growth. Revenue from Sonet and SDH multiservice systems grew more than that from any other technology product group.

Alcatel led the market last year, growing its optical transport revenue 7%. Nortel Networks ranked second in terms of market share, growing its revenue 15%. Huawei Technologies ranked third, growing 45%--more than any of the other vendors in the top four. And Lucent Technologies ranked fourth, growing its transport revenue 12% last year.

Transport spending increased to accommodate network traffic growth stemming from increased broadband deployment, Dell’Oro said, predicting continued spending increases this year.