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5G & Mobile Network Infrastructure

Backhaul Options for Outdoor Small Cells

Many mobile network operators, having built their networks primarily for coverage are starting to experience limitations in capacity. This capacity "crunch" is particularly noticeable in high density metropolitan, urban, and suburban areas. The drivers behind this high demand for capacity are complex and depend on a number of factors including device availability, network bandwidth coverage, pricing, and applications. One of the main challenges for a mobile network operator when adding a small cell underlay for capacity is backhaul. There are many more small cells in a given area than macrocells and they all must be interconnected to the mobile core. There are many solutions for mobile backhaul that use microwave, optical fiber or copper as a transport medium and there is no "one size fits all" approach. Each solution has its pros and cons. Consequently, it is up to the vendors of backhaul infrastructure access to tailor their solutions and products to optimize small cells for each scenario.

Table of Contents

  • 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
    • 1.1. Global Small Cell Market
    • 1.2. Market Share
  • 2. SMALL CELL BACKHAUL TECHNOLOGIES
    • 2.1. Microwave LoS (6 GHz to 38 GHz)
    • 2.2. MMW LoS (60 GHz to 80 GHz)
    • 2.3. Mesh Wi-Fi NLoS (Sub 6 GHz)
    • 2.4. OFDM NLoS (Sub 6 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
      • 3.2.1. Proximity and Clustering
      • 3.2.2. Cost
      • 3.2.3. Backhaul Footprint
      • 3.2.4. Power Requirements
    • 3.3. HSPA+ Upgrades and 4G/LTE Deployments
      • 3.3.1. IP Migration
    • 3.4. Bandwidth/Latency Upgrade
    • 3.5. The X2 Interface
  • 4. TECHNOLOGY ISSUES
    • 4.1. Line-of-Sight
      • 4.1.1. Advantages
      • 4.1.2. Disadvantages
    • 4.2. Non Line-of-Sight Solutions
      • 4.2.1. Advantages
      • 4.2.2. Disadvantages
    • 4.3. Hub-and-Spoke
    • 4.4. Daisy Chain
    • 4.5. Wi-Fi or In-band Mesh
  • 5. KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS
    • 5.1. Airspan
    • 5.2. Alcatel-Lucent
    • 5.3. Aviat Networks
    • 5.4. BLiNQ Networks, Inc.
    • 5.5. BridgeWave Communications
    • 5.6. Cambridge Broadband Networks Limited
    • 5.7. Ceragon Networks
    • 5.8. DesignArt (acquired by Qualcomm)
    • 5.9. DragonWave
    • 5.10. E-Band Communications
    • 5.11. Ericsson
    • 5.12. Fastback Networks
    • 5.13. Huawei
    • 5.14. LightPointe Wireless
    • 5.15. Loea Communications
    • 5.16. NEC
    • 5.17. Proxim
    • 5.18. Ruckus Wireless
    • 5.19. Siklu Communications
    • 5.20. Sub10 Systems
    • 5.21. Taqua

Tables

  1. Global Public Access Small Cell Shipments, World Market, Forecast: 2011 to 2017
  2. Global Small Cell Shipments Backhauled by Microwave, World Markets Forecast: 2011 to 2017
  3. Global Small Cell Revenue Backhauled by Microwave, World Markets Forecast: 2011 to 2017
  4. Vendor Small Cell Microwave Backhaul Portfolio Comparison

Charts

  1. Global Outdoor Small Cell Backhaul by Backhaul Type Usage, World Markets Forecast: 2012
  2. Global Outdoor Small Cell Backhaul by Backhaul Type Usage, World Markets Forecast: 2017
Backhaul Options for Outdoor Small Cells Image Purchase

Research Information

Price
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Publish Date
3Q 2012
Code
AN-1068
Research Type
Technology Analysis Report
Pages
29