Mobile operators have already begin the process of deploying HSDPA data services across their UMTS networks. The lure of high-value and compelling services such as mobile -TV and truly mobile broadband Internet access, is rapidly driving investment in this new technology. HSDPA represents a significatn improvement in data rates over the initial 3G specification and for the mobile oeprators, it also represents a significant challenge in engineering their networks. WIth downstream data rats capable of delivering a theoretical 14.4 Mbit/s of uer throughput, the demand for bandwidth in the radio access network (RAN) is increasing by an order of magnitude from where it is today. Ever growing user uptake and expected bandwidth increases beyond this 14.4 Mbit/s in the future are all putting increased pressure on the RAN backhaul infrastructure.

As the bandwidths in the RAN increase, revenue per bit falls. For the fixed line operators offering broadband technologies, such as DSL and cable modems, this situation is nothing new. E1 TDM circuits currently used within RAN backhaul networks are ideal for carrying the high- value voice services but are clearly not optimised in terms of cost or capacity for transport of high bandwidth data services. Therefore the mobile operators face a significant challenge; how to grow the data service revenues without having an associated cost per bit that makes the economics of the solution unacceptable.

One possible and compelling solution to this problem is the hybrid approach. With the hybrid approach, the data traffic associated with mobile devices is separated from mobile voice services directly at the cell site. Voice traffic can be carried reliably and cost effectively over existing E1 infrastructure whilst HSDPA traffic can be backhauled using lower cost broadband technologies such as xDSL, cable modem, and where economically viable, carrier Ethernet. The traffic characteristics of mobile data are closely aligned with the asymmetrical nature of existing broadband solutions and as such a new synergy is developing between mobile and fixed broadband providers.

The opportunity exists for advanced fixed line operators to step forward with a full end-to-end managed service that offers HSDPA offload capability to the mobile operator. This should be a complete technical solution that delivers to the Mobile Network Operator (MNO) the interfaces needed to directly interface to the radio subsystems at both cell site and core aggregation locations. It should offer guaranteed SLAs in-line with broadband data availability, monitoring, pro-active fault isolation and recovery. A mixture of transport technologies may be employed to deliver the service and perhaps even multiple operators, but these underlying complexities should be transparent to the MNO. Combine these elements with rapid and flexible bandwidth upgrades and the need for a NGN packet-switched infrastructure is evident. Many fixed line operators have invested heavily already in such infrastructure, exploiting these investments to offer a tailor-made managed service solution which would allow the MNO to concentrate on deployment and optimisation of the air interface, service creation and subscriber uptake.

Axerra Networks’ Pseudo-Wire solution is ready today to offer a network operator all the features needed to build a complete HSPDA backhaul managed service. In summary, the Axerra platforms deliver a solution allowing the transport of TDM, HDLC, and ATM based services over frame-based technologies such as MPLS, IP and Ethernet networks. Whether the underlying transport is xDSL, bonded SHDSL/EFM, native Ethernet on fibre or even point-to-point microwave, the Axerra solution is designed to make efficient use of the offered bandwidth to ensure MNOs can effortlessly grow their mobile broadband business and the managed service provider can profit from the new and growing revenues associated with mobile data services and its millions of subscribers

To access the full white paper, click here:"A Managed Pseudo-Wire Backhaul Service for Mobile Network Operators"