Ethernet, the future of mobile backhaul

With the surging demand for smartphones, mobile data traffic has also increased at an exponential rate, straining present mobile backhaul networks. Mobile operators face the challenge of meeting the growing number of networks which would need to connect to mobile towers. Almost one third of a mobile network operator’s operational costs comes from mobile backhaul networks.

 

This is one of the major reasons why MNO’s are looking at investing in more technology to handle present and future demands. Failure to upgrade systems may lead to a collapse of the network, as seen in an example when Vodafone Australia’s network crashed back in 2010.

 

Operators are also deploying small cell technologies to cover gaps in their network systems. These picocels and microcells have also been a key factor compelling operators to upgrade mobile backhaul networks to meet the demand. Backhaul capacity has to grow, especially in high-traffic areas like urban centers. The present Time-division multiplexing (TDM) systems cannot handle the explosion of mobile data traffic alone.

 

Currently, operators are focusing in major overhauls of their backhaul systems to handle more bandwidth-intensive applications like voice on internet protocol and even mobile video conferencing. There is now a transition to ethernet-based mobile backhaul networks since the technology’s simplicity and economy makes it the logical step forward.

 

With an ethernet-based system, one can forego the need to IP enabled switchpoints to coordinate traffic. This means the technology is a lot more cost-effective. Ethernet networks also have increased security features which would allow IP base stations and central routers to do the job of controlling the traffic or routing decisions.

 

The more cost-effective technology has minimized the present complex backhaul systems at work. Experts see it as the best solution to handle the mobile data traffic efficiently. Carrier ethernet has now became the preferred choice by MNO's in expanding backhaul capacity without compromising flexibility and security.

 

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Mobile Backhaul Transition Portfolio to debut at Broadband World Forum

Increasing bandwidth-intensive applications are forcing many operators to reevaluate the current networks and facilities they work on. One of the leading fibre access technology company, Transition Networks, plans to meet demands as it showcases its mobile backhaul transition portfolio at the Broadband World Forum in Amsterdam.

 

 

 

The mobile backhaul products from Transition Networks have been designed to provide solutions in mobile backhaul migration. Improve networks are crucial not merely for operations efficiency, but also for revenue increase. The portfolio sees Transition Networks going beyond assisting in IP/Ethernet upgrades.

 

Next generation networks are in-demand as subscriber demands also rise. The emergence of powerful smartphone devices, alongside improved network capabilities and network-security has been a major catalyst in the transition to high-speed networks. The new mobile backhaul options also offer business opportunities as they can be utilized for increased capacity and other revenue-generating services.

 

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Xilinx acquires Modesat Communications

 

 

One of the world’s leading providers of programmable devices and technologies, Xilinx Inc., has acquired all the substantial assets of Modesat Communications of Estonia in a bid to develop further its own mobile backhaul IP provider.

 

The purchase amount was not disclosed but Xilinx revealed it planned to use the wireless backhaul capacity of Modesat for packet processing, as well as a host of IP solutions for varied mobile backhaul demands.

 

The rise of mobile devices have increased the number of bandwidth-intensive applications which has resulted in a greater demand for backhauling solutions. Xilinx is hoping the acquisition of Modesat Communications, which was founded in Estonia back in 2005, will help them provide solutions for IP cores, E band, and microwave. Many of today’s OEM’s are diversifying their mobile backhaul portfolios to address the strain on the backhaul network infrastructure.

 

Although Modesat was founded in Europe, the operations are in California and 15 of its employees have been absorbed to a Xilinx Communications Business Unit. The acquisition is also expected to complement Xilinx’s Zynq-7000 SoCs and the All Programmable 7 series FPGA systems.

 

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