Mobile transport

Mobile fronthaul refers to the transport network that connects the remote radio heads (RRHs) to centralized baseband units (BBUs) as used in 4G centralized RAN architectures or where 5G radio units (RUs) are connected to remote distributed units (DUs).

Mobile backhaul refers to the transport network that connects 4G BBUS or 5G centralized units (CU) with the mobile core network. Additionally, midhaul refers to the link between the DU and CU in the 5G network.

5G networks are enabling exciting new applications such as:
 

• Cloud-enabled 5G gaming
• Immersive event, venue and broadcasting experiences
• Enhanced situational awareness with video analytics and drone surveillance
• AR/VR-based learning, work instruction and knowledge sharing
• Smart industrial operations enabled by digital twins, and real-time analytics

Mobile transport networks need to evolve to support demands relating to latency, throughput and reliability to deliver on these enhanced mobile broadband, ultra low-latency and massive IoT use cases. In addition, they must support architectural changes and innovations in the mobile layer. 

More access, capacity and density

With 5G, there will be many more radio sites that require connectivity. Your mobile transport network needs to be able to connect more devices in more places and support higher density and capacity.

You will need to provide connectivity to 5G applications hosted in public, private or telco clouds. These applications will consume increasing amounts of bandwidth on your network.
 

Support for new RAN architectures

5G supports different functional splits that enable flexible placement of RAN functions and make it possible to utilize resources more effectively. To make the most of this flexibility, your transport network must be able to meet the capacity, latency, timing and converged transport needs of distributed, centralized and cloud RAN architectures.
 

Mobile anyhaul

Mobile transport is no longer just about backhaul. Your transport network now needs to support mobile anyhaul - a fusion of fronthaul, midhaul and backhaul. This calls for cost-optimized, purpose-built access and aggregation networks that can interconnect radios, base stations and edge clouds.
 

Accurate and reliable synchronization

Most 5G mobile networks make greater use of TDD spectrum, which demands accurate and reliable frequency, phase and time synchronization. Some applications will also need more accurate synchronization.

Your mobile transport network must be able to distribute highly accurate synchronization to cell sites as a backup to GNSS or as a primary synchronization source where GNSS is not viable.
 

Network automation and orchestration

5G network slicing will enable you to use one network to meet the specific needs of many mobile services and customers. To get the most from slicing, you need transport network automation that can quickly set up the required connections between the RAN and core functions in different clouds and orchestrate mobile transport services on demand.