Only 20 percent of mobile tower sites in North America have a fiber feed. In Europe, the number is under 5 percent. The average backhaul connection rate for a 2G or 3G eNodeB is still under 50 Mbps. And yet, mobile network traffic is projected to double every year for the next five years. Unlike the “one (maybe two) and done” vendor selection process for the 4G RAN and EPC, the backhaul element of the network is a confederation of vendors, network media, technologies, network topologies and business models. This backhaul summit sorts out the solutions and positions service providers to provide candid feedback on their 4G backhaul technology choices and plans. How will the changes of 4G—including more, higher speed macro cells and the introduction of microcells—influence the backhaul solution portfolio of service providers?
Jennifer Pigg, Vice President, Yankee Group
