Mobile Backhaul for Small Cells

Technology Considerations for 3G/4G Microcellular Architectures

Research Report

One of the key issues that many vendors see as a major barrier for outdoor small cells is the availability of an affordable, flexible backhaul solution that is tailored to address the needs of a small cell network deployment. When it comes to backhaul, there is no ‘one solution fits all’ technology. Every different type of backhaul technology has its pros and cons. It is up to backhaul infrastructure access vendors to tailor their solutions and products to best fit small cells and the scenarios where they would be relevant. This study discusses various types of small cell backhaul technologies, how small cell architecture is leveraged to reduce backhaul equipment costs, what kinds of backhaul technologies fit different scenarios, and why. Forecasts include a breakdown of small cell backhaul links by backhaul type for 2011 and 2016.

Table of Contents

  • Top Line Forecast
  • Market Share
  • Small Cell Backhaul Requirements
  • Drivers
  • Inhibitors
  • Summary
  • 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
    • 1.1. Global Small Cell Market
    • 1.2. Market Share
  • 2. SMALL CELL BACKHAUL TECHNOLOGIES
    • 2.1. Microwave LoS (Six to 38 GHz)
    • 2.2. MMW LoS (60 to 80 GHz)
    • 2.3. Mesh Wi-Fi NLoS (Sub Six GHz)
    • 2.4. OFDM NLoS (Sub Six GHz)
    • 2.5. Satellite
    • 2.6. Wireline (Copper or Fiber)
  • 3. MARKET ISSUES
    • 3.1. Capacity and Complexity
    • 3.2. Considerations for Small Cell Backhaul
    • 3.3. Proximity and Clustering
    • 3.4. Cost
    • 3.5. Backhaul Footprint
    • 3.6. Power Requirement
    • 3.7. HSPA+ Upgrades and 4G Deployments
    • 3.8. IP Migration
    • 3.9. Bandwidth/Latency Upgrade
  • 4. TECHNOLOGY ISSUES
    • 4.1. Line-of-sight
    • 4.2. Advantages
    • 4.3. Disadvantages
    • 4.4. Non Line-of-sight Solutions
    • 4.5. Advantages
    • 4.6. Disadvantages
    • 4.7. Hub and Spoke
    • 4.8. Daisy Chain
    • 4.9. Wi-Fi or In-band Mesh
  • 5. KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS
    • 5.1. Airspan
    • 5.2. Aviat Networks
    • 5.3. BLiNQ Netwroks, Inc.
    • 5.4. BridgeWave Communications
    • 5.5. Cambridge Broadband Networks Limited
    • 5.6. DesignArt
    • 5.7. DragonWave
    • 5.8. Ruckus Wireless
    • 5.9. Taqua LLC
  • 6. COMPANY DIRECTORY
  • 7. ACRONYMS
    • 7.1. Sources and Methodology
    • 7.2. Notes

Tables

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  1. Global Outdoor Small Cell Shipments, World Market, Forecast: 2010 to 2016

Charts

  1. Global Outdoor Small Cell Backhaul by Backhaul Type Usage, World Market, Forecast: 2011
  2. Global Outdoor Small Cell Backhaul by Backhaul Type Usage, World Market, Forecast: 2016
  3. Global Outdoor Small Cell Shipments
  4. Global Outdoor Small Cell Backhaul by Backhaul Type Usage
  5. Global Outdoor Small Cell Backhaul by Backhaul Type Usage