A presentation from Aviat Networks explaining how microwave radio will play a key role in next-generation LTE networks and how it is the perfect complement to fiber.
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Microwave Solutions for LTE Networks
1. Microwave Solutions for LTE Wireless Networks Presented By: Stuart Little, Director of Global Corporate Marketing, AviatNetworks Taking the ‘haul’ out of backhaul
2. The Mobile Internet Tsunami meets the Backhaul Bottleneck Backhaul is the central battleground for LTE network migration Even now backhaul is not meeting the demand of 3G/HSPA LTE backhaul requirements are still not well understood by operators* 2 MARCH 23, 2010 AVIAT NETWORKS | * Source: Heavy Reading, 4th Annual Multi-Client Study On Mobile Backhaul, December 2009
3. Hybrid fiber/microwave backhaul Nearly 1 million new sites worldwide by 2013 Fiber is the natural choice for LTE backhaul, but connects less than 20% of NA sites today Copper lines will not provide the capacity scalability needed Microwave is the natural choice for sites where fiber cannot reach economically 3 Source: Ovum, Wireless Backhaul Forecast 2009-2015, November, 2009 MARCH 23, 2010 AVIAT NETWORKS |
9. Microwave can play a key role, but wholesalers generally lack microwave expertise4 MARCH 23, 2010 AVIAT NETWORKS |
10. Mobile Network Evolution, not Revolution Mobile backhaul networks must evolve Maintain essential high-quality TDM voice services Gradual migration path to all-IP for next generation 4G/LTE There’s no silver bullet or one size fits all 5 Transition Maintain Transform MARCH 23, 2010 AVIAT NETWORKS |
11. 4th Generation Microwave for 4G Backhaul Multi-gigabit aggregate IP capacity Efficient nodal architecture reduces cost, space Integrated Layer 2 Ethernet switching Hybrid support for both TDM and Ethernet/IP traffic Ultra bandwidth efficiency Compact, power efficient 6 MARCH 23, 2010 AVIAT NETWORKS |
12. Global Microwave Market Microwave market worth $4-6 billion/yr >75% is mobile backhaul >1 million units/yr globally Nearly 50% of the world’s base stations are connected by microwave Global Cell Site Connectivity (2009) Microwave 48 % Copper 15 % Fibre 37 % Source: Heavy Reading’s Ethernet Backhaul Quarterly Tracker Service MARCH 23, 2010 7 AVIAT NETWORKS |
13. Packet Microwave Market Growth Packet (Ethernet/IP) microwave is the fastest growing market segment Packet microwave can also support TDM (Hybrid) New technologies enable much more efficient use of available spectrum Source: Heavy Reading’s Ethernet Backhaul Quarterly Tracker Service MARCH 23, 2010 8 AVIAT NETWORKS |
15. There’s no one size fits all in backhaul With the right backhaul technology, Operators can turn the growth in bandwidth demand into an opportunity for competitive advantage Fiber will not be the only answer to the next generation backhaul challenge Microwave combines smooth network migration with LTE-readiness, and is a perfect compliment to fiber. 10 MARCH 23, 2010 AVIAT NETWORKS |
16. About AviatNetworks….. Formerly known as Harris Stratex Networks The largest turnkey microwave provider in the US. 50 year wireless legacy HQ, R&D, Manufacturing, Service and Support Market Leading LTE-Ready Wireless Backhaul solutions 11 MARCH 23, 2010 AVIAT NETWORKS |
Backhaul is now the central battleground for LTE network migration, after years where backhaul was never an issue.But even now backhaul is not meeting the demand of 3G/HSPA in parts of the USA and Europe, so that users are now being seriously affected by bottlenecks in the backhaul network.Even now at this advanced stage, LTE backhaul requirements are still not well understood by operators. Three quarters of respondents to a Heavy Reading survey believed either that LTE backhaul requirements are not well understood or that whatever people believe now may change significantly over the next couple of years. Operators are divided over the expected capacity needs for typical LTE sites, and over what transport technology is best deployed in the access/low RAN and metro aggregation/high RAN – whether Carrier Ethernet (L2/VPN) or L3 IP/MPLS.
According to Infonetics (July 2009) total installed cell sites grew 10% from 2007 to 2008, from 2.0M to 2.2M, and will grow to 3.1M by 2013, a 2008-2013 CAGR of 7%. They also predict that microwave will dominate the mobile backhaul market, overshadowing nearly all other technologysolutions. Two thirds of mobile operators expect that microwave will account for more than 25% of their last mile backhaul to the cell site three years from now. 42% of operators believe that microwave will account for more than 50% of their last mile backhaul to the cell site in that timeframe. Heavy Reading Backhaul Survey 2009It offers mobile operators smooth migration from TDMto Ethernetbackhaul, as well as:• T1/E1 lines do not scale for bandwidth needs, and are not cost-efficient, even in NA where they are much cheaper• Fiber is not available or cost-effective to deploy for the majority of cell sites – can cost > $1million per mile.• The capacities can be 'turned up' as the mobile operator needs it• A single product can support voice on TDM, data on Ethernet• Microwave is the most appropriate solution for remote/rural base stations• Microwave is likely to also be widely used for microcell/picocell deployment• Microwave is usually quicker to deploy than landline
There is no “one-size-fits-all” situation that leads to the conclusion that fiber will be the sole media used for cellular backhaul in North America.Although fiber may be the preferred media by many operators, many of the major US operators are buying an Ethernet transport service rather than owning their own backhaul. Mobile operators that lease backhaul capacity from local exchange carriers (LECs) or from alternative transport carriers do not view backhaul transport as a core competency. Ovum’s carrier interviews for this report showed no material shift from buy to build and thus the lease-line model is likely to continue — with the difference being Ethernet will be substituted for traditional T1.
Mobile backhaul networks must evolve to support the introduction of IP transport to support new broadband services, increase network capacity and flexibility and support lower overall operational costs.Optimizing the network to support hybrid TDM+IP helps maintain high quality TDM voice services – the bread and butter, while enabling network expansion and gradual migration path to the next generation 4G
MW is well placed to meet LTE backhaul network requirements. Cost as well as time to establish links is very competitive.
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” Albert Einstein3.5G HSPA+ and LTE require Ethernet backhaul to decouple network capacity increases from network cost increases