Domains of Application for Backhaul Technologies in 3G Wireless Networks

As wireless networks evolve to 3G and data services take off, the bandwidth to be backhauled from the cell site to the mobile switching center increases very rapidly. A large number of technologies and services can potentially be used for the backhaul. Many parameters such as the tariff rates and structure for leased lines, sensitivity of these tariffs to distance and total bandwidth, availability of fiber at or near the cell site, interfaces at the cell site and the mobile switching center (MSC) etc, determine which technology is the most economical over a period of time. This presentation will discuss the business drivers and characteristics for each solution, and the parameters that affect the economics. We modeled the backhaul networks using various technologies (Optical, ATM, Pseudowire, Microwave, IP/Ethernet, ...) and services (voice, packet data, ...). Parameters describing these models were varied to identify the ones that have the most impact on the cost of the network. Examples are presented to compare the leased T1/E1 lines solution to several backhaul technologies