5G Mobile Backhaul Alternate Networks

5G Mobile Backhaul Alternate Networks refer to the ability to transfer telecommunications traffic from the Mobile RAN to the Core in flexible ways over alternate networks, like in this document over Cable (HFC) or fiber instead of traditional microwave links. Given the massive amount of traffic that’s coming over mobile networks today, the need for flexibility and additional help when it comes to the transport of these traffic has never been greater.

Additionally, given the realities of the likely exponential growth of traffic over mobile and other networks over the next coming decades, especially with the expected 5G explosion in terms of volume and number of mobile sites, the time for developing these kinds of transportation methods is now. Operators who get ahead of the curve will thrive the most.

Last but not least, cable networks are powered (usually in the range of 90Vac) and this is a key advantage when it comes to deploying a big number of street microcells.

Leading the Way for 5G: Small Cells Deployment – The impact of codeless provisioning automation in small cells deployment.

Mobile Networks Over Cable Lines

Cable has been helping transport networks to provide supplement telecommunications services for a while now, even with not many people knowing about it. These days, the upcoming 5G networks are likely going to use Cable providers to help. The services that Cable providers can offer are uniquely situated to help 5G networks due to the fact that there’s a lot of flexibility in their systems.

This includes the hybrid combination of HFC networks and the DAA or distributed access architecture options that can help take 5G traffic from the tower to the edge of the network. Currently, there are barriers to overcome in order for the 5G backhaul network to come into its own. This is due to the fact that while backhaul service is currently working out well for the Cable industry, in the way that it aids cellular networks, the introduction of 5G to the mix will make everything considerably more complex.

The goal then is to try to simplify things to make this kind of complexity less of an issue going forward.

Some of these complexities include the fact that 5G is going to require a massive amount of power and the fact that low-latency and high speed through the network will also be required. Cable has systems that can handle these requirements, but it’s going to be difficult enough to solve compatibility issues between parts of the network. There’s going to be some problems to figure out.

Business Complications

There’s also the usual problem of a lack of cooperation between service providers. Major providers are each building their networks mainly through fiber. This means the business proposal to handle the transport of backhaul traffic, which was usually over the air, through ground Cable networks instead becomes complicated if major Cable companies see 5G as a direct threat to what they are doing.

In other words, if they view 5G as a threat to their base business model, they will be much less inclined to aid 5G itself through transport in this way. Instead, they may try to cut off that aid, even if they could profit from it, in favor of choking out the competition.

The Coming of 5G

In order to plan properly for all of this as an operator, regardless of what your purpose or role might be within it, it’s going to be necessary to pay attention to the timing for when it’s all getting rolled out. Some sources indicate that this will happen fairly quickly, culminating towards the end of 2020 or a bit beyond for trials, before commercial application.

Other operators are predicting that a commercial version will start to be deployed for 5G in 2021 and going as far as 2023. More than half of the predicted commercial launches of 5G should be within that period. This is also the time when 5G should be rolled out for mass-market applications as well, although this could vary based on what transpires between now and then. In order for everything to work correctly with the expected load of many 5G networks, the transport networks need to be in place before 5G is fully deployed.

This is due to the fact that over the air (Microwaves links) 5G systems won’t be of any use to anyone if they don’t have the additional abilities in place to handle the loads they need at the requirements expected. This includes having a latency level that can meet the stringent 5G requirements. According to sources on the subject, a little over a third of operators are planning to upgrade at least a year or two before the commercial application of 5G arrives.

All this is to say, that those who wish to remain competitive will need to prepare properly and gain the help and advice of groups that understand the situation and that are in a good position to render aid.

5G Backhaul over Fiber

Fiber is going to be of significant importance when it comes to connecting wireless options to land networks. According to surveys on the matter, half said that the core of their networks will be within 80 kilometers of their customers. There is some indication that this will have to be closer, however. Either way though, while it’s going to be key to use fiber with the coming of 5G, it’s important to note that other options are going to be important as well, including using the microwave when fiber isn’t going to work for whatever reason or taking advantage of already deployed HFC facilities.

Within this setup, it can often be the case that fiber just won’t connect into the area properly, or you may encounter some local or wider legal issue, or perhaps it would simply be too expensive to try to use it. This is why there’s a need for flexibility within 5G and 5G transportation arrangements.

A large part of preparations for transport on 5G networks is going to be linked to distance from end-users since this is one of the most important determiners of things like latency along with the network, so it’s likely that until the tech improves, getting cores closer to end users is going to be an important priority for operators.

Getting Ready for 5G Transportation

It’s a fact that many 5G networks simply cannot function at the levels that they need to without transportation networks helping out, at least within the foreseeable future. As a result, it’s going to be important for any and all operators to anticipate this situation ahead of time.

This includes creating a transport system that is itself upgradable. The upgrade should support a network for 5G needs with its ultra-low latency, availability, speed, and other considerations.

Much of the new tech coming out in this field is going to be made specifically for transport use with 5G.

Ordering Priorities

According to surveys, for most operators, having a low latency through close fiber lines is the number one priority since latency that gets too out of control is just going to be unacceptable based on the standards of the technology, plus it will make much of it unfeasible anyway. Other challenges that ranked lower on the list included the connectivity to newly created cell areas and other related difficulties.

The other concern is the fact that it’s entirely possible to get low latency using optics that are high-speed enough, but then the costs get so high that you end up with little profit. Or you can go with other technologies, like the packet variety since they are much lower cost in many cases, but then the latency goes way up.

It’s these kinds of dilemmas and considerations that are important to think about well ahead of time in order to make sure that you can plan for them and take care of any new problems that arise, considering the tight schedule you will likely have as an operator to stay competitive during the rise of 5G. While it may be less of a problem if you’re in a developing country or a less competitive area, it’s still not an especially good idea to tarry considering the fact that this technology will be just about everywhere eventually, and you can end up with a significant advantage if you focus on getting there first as an operator ahead of anyone else in your area.

In this way, focus on transport for telecommunications, especially with a 5G focus considering the importance of the technology, is just going to be the wisest option that you have available to you. The key to preparing for transport options is completely related to planning ahead. All of the obstacles are manageable provided that you make sure that you’re aware of what’s coming to your area, and the challenges related to Cable distance, microwaves, latency issues, and everything else.

Preparation can make just about any seemingly insurmountable challenge within reach, provided you give yourself enough time to plan and react to any changes. This is particularly true of 5G and telecommunication transport systems due to their unique nature.

Leading the Way for 5G: Small Cells Deployment – The impact of codeless provisioning automation in small cells deployment.