Mobile Wireless Backhaul Landscape

Wireless networks are fast evolving from being the primarily voice-only traffic to networks, supporting both voice and swift data services. With the advent of this transition, there is a high demand for additional bandwidth at cell sites. The wireless service providers have very precise transport requirements and specifications for their services. Understanding these requirements is very important while choosing the right technology and type of network for the application.

The wireless industry backhaul requirements can be defined by recognizing the three primary factors:

• Wireless 2G/3G standards
• Requirements of Cell site capacity
• Performance metrics

A systematic understanding of these factors will ensure that the operators choose the right technology, network and architecture required to implement a successful wireless backhaul business strategy

Industry focus on Mobile wireless backhaul

In recent years the focus of the industry has been on the backhaul of mobile wireless services at the edge of the network, from the cell site (BTS) to the BSC and/or MSC. One of the most viable business opportunities today is that of providing the broadband services to the cell sites. Even though the current capacity requirements are meek, it is expected that the bandwidths will continue to increase with future generations of wireless networks.

A wireless service provider normally deploys 4–10 MTSO locations within a large metro area. These MTSOs are connected together for switching and transport of voice and data calls, just like the IOF network within a wire line Telco network. Some of the MTSOs are designated as “gateway” locations, providing interconnection to the PSTN and Internet. The MTSO core network bandwidths are very large and they represent the major revenue earning opportunities. This core application and opportunity is instant. It is happening now and there is no enslavement or delay from future wireless technologies (4G), as there is with cell site backhaul.

Besides that, most MTSOs are located within the metro areas and are close to major fiber network deployments. The Wireless service providers are constantly in the quest of reducing their operational costs by selecting alternative transport providers for this application. Escalating bandwidths to cell sites grabs all the industry attention, providing a more cost-effective core network.

Opportunities with Mobile wireless backhaul:

Mobile wireless backhaul services offer a good opportunity for operators. A thorough understanding of the wireless equipment, interface specifications and deployment practices greatly helps the proper choice and design of networks for this application. The wireless industry has essentially relied on T1 TDM services for equipment connectivity due to wide availability of T1 services, industry specifications, capacity requirements and good performance metrics. While the industry has focused on the backhaul of mobile services from cell sites, it has led to opening the doors for a far more interesting and lucrative opportunity for transport providers in the metro networks.