Wireless Backhaul 2007-2012: Role and Significance in Cellular Markets

Wireless Backhaul 2007-2012: Role and Significance in Cellular Markets published by Pioneer Consulting in May, 2007. This report consists of 112 PAGES and the price starts from US $ 2800.

Introduction

Abstract

Backhaul is an integral part of the cellular network and forms the largest opex component of the network. With 2006 being heralded as the year of mobile broadband, largely driven by 3G, cellular operators are realising the need to control the rising data transport costs, simultaneously dealing with high pressures on profit margins and decreasing "revenue per user" due to the introduction of "flat pricing" schemes for mobile broadband. Thus, cellular operators are increasingly considering backhaul as a strategic lever to balance user demand and increasing costs.

Wireless backhaul has been highly successful till now because it can compete on opex costs with other backhaul technologies like leased line and fibre optics, both of which are wireline technologies. However, the cellular backhaul network is undergoing a transformation and is en-route to an all Ethernet/IP network allowing cheaper replacements like DSL, largely considered as a non-carrier grade technology till now, to be chosen as an interim backhaul replacement by cellular operators. Therefore, with the advent of competing technologies and the move towards Ethernet/IP, there is a need to re-examine the role of wireless backhaul in the present day, as well as going forward.

The report titled "Wireless Backhaul 2007-2012: Role and Significance in Cellular Markets" covers the emerging threats and concerns for Wireless Backhaul.

These include:

• Threat of cheaper backhaul technologies like DSL
• The move towards Ethernet/IP and what that means for wireless backhaul.
• The emergence of satellite backhaul especially in emerging economies
• The lack of demand for Point to Multipoint (PMP) solutions
• The lack of interest in WiMAX as a cellular backhaul solution
• Increasing pricing pressure on wireless backhaul equipment
• The ability of wireless backhaul to support 3G/4G capacity
• The issue of spectrum availability for microwave backhaul

The report further investigates the cost implications of wireless backhaul compared to wireline backhaul technologies, both from the capex and opex perspective. Different cost models are created specifically for the 3G cellular network case, where the majority of backhaul demand lies. The cost models are differentiated in terms of geography for developed and developing economies, and in terms of demographic for urban and rural network deployments, ultimately highlighting the key areas where wireless backhaul turns out to be cost-effective as compared to wireline backhaul.

Finally, the report includes extensive regional and worldwide market forecasts taking into account the emerging threats and concerns facing wireless backhaul. The regional forecasts are split by frequency and by backhaul infrastructure owner (self-built vs. leased), allowing for a granular study of the wireless backhaul market opportunity. The forecasts also cover the wireless backhaul market as a share of total backhaul market differentiated by region.

Overall, the report aims to provide cellular operators as well as wireless backhaul equipment vendors a fresh perspective and a strategic rethink of the wireless backhaul market and the opportunity within it. The report explores the key question whether wireless backhaul can cope with the re-engineering of the cellular backhaul network and continue providing a cost-effective and viable backhaul solution for operators in the forthcoming era of mobile broadband.

Table of Contents

Preliminary

1. Executive Summary

2. Introduction

• 2.1. Description of Cellular Backhaul
  • 2.1.1. Access
  • 2.1.2. Aggregation
  • 2.1.3. Core
• 2.2. Wireless Backhaul: An Access Layer Technology
• 2.3. Backhaul: A Strategic Lever for Cellular Operators
  • 2.3.1. Increase in 3G Traffic
  • 2.3.2. Decreasing Revenue per Bit
  • 2.3.3. Pressure on Profit Margins
  • 2.3.4. Increase in Operating Costs
• 2.4. Purpose and Scope of Study
• 2.5. Methodology
• 2.6. Sources of Information

3. Wireless Backhaul - Emerging Threats and Concerns for the Cellular Market

• 3.1.1. The Threat of DSL as a Low-Cost Backhaul Solution
• 3.1.2. Low Demand for PMP
• 3.1.3. The Emergence of Ethernet/IP in Backhaul and its Impact on Wireless Backhaul
• 3.1.4. WiMAX for Backhaul: Lack of Interest
• 3.1.5. Pricing Pressure on Wireless Backhaul Equipment
• 3.1.6. Ability of Wireless Backhaul to support 3G/4G capacities
• 3.1.7. Satellite Backhaul Popular in Emerging Economies
• 3.1.8. Spectrum Availability for Microwave Backhaul

4. Wireless Backhaul - Cost Implications

• 4.1. Cost Comparison of Wireless Backhaul
  • 4.1.1. Capex
  • 4.1.2. Opex
• 4.2. 3G Network: Wireless Backhaul Cost Model Scenarios
  • 4.2.1. Developed - Urban
  • 4.2.2. Developed - Rural
  • 4.2.3. Developing - Urban
  • 4.2.4. Developing - Rural

5. Wireless Backhaul Market Opportunity: Regional and Worldwide Forecasts

• 5.1.1. Methodology and Assumptions
• 5.1.2. Cellular Subscriber Forecasts
• 5.1.3. BTS Forecasts
• 5.1.4. Backhaul Market split by technology (Total split by Microwave, Satellite, Fibre, Copper Leased Lines etc)
• 5.1.5. WBH Forecasts by Region - Units and Revenue
• 5.1.6. WBH Forecasts by Frequency- Units and Revenue
• 5.1.7. WBH Forecasts by Region and Frequency - Units and Revenue
• 5.1.8. WBH Forecasts by Backhaul Service (Self-Built vs. Leased) - Units and Revenue

6. Conclusions

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