Summary
Carrier backhaul is the transporting of voice and data traffic from the cell site back to the switching location. A backhaul link is the connection that transports traffic from a remote site to a central site. All networks need some form of backhaul in order to bring traffic from the network edges to the core.
As wireless technologies advance and we continue to deploy 3G and 4G data services, the bandwidth demands on the backhaul link are increasing. Backhaul that was originally designed to carry only voice traffic or possibly some lowspeed data is now expected to support the increased bandwidth that is being demanded by current mobile devices and the applications that they run. Mobile applications like e-mail, picture and video messaging, streaming audio, streaming video, and others are experiencing huge growth because of the 3G and 4G wireless interfaces that have been deployed, but the backhaul needs to be upgraded to support them.
Features
• Large coverage distances
• Any number of locations can be included
• Typically involve a public carrier who provides the backhaul
• Can be wired or wireless
• Variety of speed options
• Circuit and packet technologies
• Multiple protocols
Benefits
• Cost savings from more efficient handling of traffic
• Correctly designed backhaul can reduce capex and opex
• Support for future traffic growth and new applications
• Fewer complaints from customers about bandwidth
