Delivery lead times for network equipment from some Taiwan-based suppliers have been extended to as long as three months in part due to requests from global buyers and in part due to material shortages, according to industry sources.

Some channel operators have placed orders for delivery in three months compared to normal lead times of 24 weeks, and some telecom clients are even placing orders for delivery in the fourth quarter, the sources indicated.

Shortages for key parts and components have pushed some channel operators to place long lead time orders, the sources commented. However, branded network equipment vendor Netgear has managed to keep its orders with normal delivery lead times, the sources pointed out.

The long delivery lead times have also resulted in an extension of order visibility for a number of network equipment makers, the sources noted. Alpha Networks and Arcadyan Technology have both stated that the visibilities have extended to the third quarter of 2010.