IP coming-up in mobile backhaul networks

making mobile broadband a reality

Mobile operators: tomorrow’s challenges

The backhaul architectures of mobile networks are currently primarily suited to low-bandwidth services such as “voice” and “low-speed data applications”.

With the current evolution of UMTS towards 3G+ technologies (HSPA)*1 and upcoming 4G technologies (LTE)*2, radio capacities will increase considerably and give mobile operators the opportunity to offer new services and “consumer” applications with high bandwidth requirements. The usage of mobile broadband will therefore heavily impact the required mobile backhaul network capacities and, consequently, the associated TCO*3.

An architecture suited to high-speed mobile broadband

The implementation of “all IP” solutions in mobile backhaul networks will become unavoidable in the near future. The mobile backhaul network represents one of the main cost items, so it requires special attention before these new services are marketed.

A recognised experience

As a pioneer in the design and deployment of carrier-grade networks, Sofrecom offers an experienced multi-stage methodology for “designing, deploying and maintaining” a complete range of network upgrade strategies.

Stage 1: dimensioning

Based on marketing data and an investment plan, a study determines the upgrade of network capacities necessary for the launch of new services, while also integrating all traffic parameters (traffic volume by service and by geographical region). The outcome is an optimal network dimensioning requiring phased investments.

Stage 2: detailed technical analysis

The next phase consists of an exhaustive technical study covering the important stakes (QoS, protection, troubleshooting, security, definition of the optimum transport mode, etc.), including:

existing network infrastructures (i.e. in the case of migrating an existing network infrastructure to IP)
operational constraints
regulatory constraints.

Stage 3: comparative study

A comparison of each technical scenario allows us to propose the best possible network upgrade strategy.
To this end, Sofrecom helps design new network architectures in order to:

facilitate the implementation of new high-speed broadband services
cope with the mobile traffic growth
manage TCO*3 by optimising the choice of network investments, without disrupting quality of service.

Immediate, tangible benefits

Investment control and supervision
Optimised, secure and extensible architecture and technology solution
Decorrelation of costs from required incremental network capacity.

*1 HSPA = High Speed Packet Access
*2 LTE = Long Term Evolution
*3 TCO = Total Cost of Ownership
*4 TDM = Time-Division Multiplexing


download the pdf version