Intelligent Backhaul for Private LTE

The evolution of applications, services and demands on private broadband networks are creating new requirements for coverage and agility, which will require a new breed of transport for backhaul. The backhaul network has to be smarter, simpler and more cost effective to be able to handle the challenge of connecting any device, anywhere.

Interconnecting critical IoT devices require spectrum agility, bandwidth scalability and hardened security capabilities and while these are critical for network performance and functionality, the backhaul network is even more critical. Backhaul amplifies the necessity for scalability and capability because of the aggregation of node and IoT device traffic it carries. Backhauling dense network traffic involves the following key considerations:

1. Cost of backhaul
   Backhaul networks consist of either microwave, fiber or leased telco lines and while each has distinct characteristics, cost is a key element that differentiates each option. Analysis of each option has repeatedly shown that across a diverse network, the cost of microwave is significantly lower than other options, primarily because of the lower overall cost to deploy and scale.
2. Reliability of equipment and network
   The traffic carried over private broadband networks are critical for infrastructure and communications, so network reliability is a key requirement. Similar to the mission critical traffic carried over the traditional backhaul networks, the backhaul of private LTE traffic also has to maintain a 99.9995% to 99.9999% reliability objective.
3. Ease of deployment and operation
   The expected growth and densification of IoT networks will require similar agility in backhaul so deployment has to be simple and fast and operation has to simple. These elements are also critical to ensure costs stay low and manageable.