AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwired - Jun 4, 2014) - Small cells and heterogeneous networks are a common topic of discussion in the wireless and mobile industry. Because small cell deployments vary so greatly in location, there is no single solution for their backhaul. In order to choose a backhaul method for a small cell deployment, mobile operators must go through a decision process that weighs current need (coverage versus capacity and the bandwidth requirements) against initial cost, total cost of ownership, payback period and future scalability.
For mobile operators, fiber is currently preferred over wireless options and other wired options, such as VDSL2 and HFC. The main advantages for wired backhaul, especially fiber, include high throughput, low latency and substantial throughput scaling over time. But there are two significant challenges with fiber: it is not always where it is needed and it is relatively expensive to deploy. However, once fiber is in place, the incremental cost of adding new capacity is low.
iGR believes that the market for small cell deployments is just beginning to ramp and has created a five year forecast of LTE small cell deployments and the wired backhaul that will be needed to support the new deployments. iGR forecasts that the wired backhaul deployments will grow at a CAGR of 191 percent.
"Mobile backhaul will be critical as LTE small cells are deployed to support the growing demand for data," said Iain Gillott, president and founder of iGR, a market research consultancy focused on the wireless and mobile industry. "iGR expects that wired backhaul will be part of a significant share of small cell deployments."
iGR's new market study Wired Backhaul Opportunities and Issues for Small Cell Architectures discusses the wired backhaul technologies available for small cells and the main market drivers for wired backhaul to support small cells. It also presents iGR's North American forecast for wired backhaul to support LTE small cell deployments over the next five years.
The following key questions are addressed in the new market study:
- What is the anticipated growth of wired backhaul in North America through 2018?
- How do the major mobile operators view wired backhaul?
- What are the major concerns of the mobile operators with regard to wired backhaul?
- How can these concerns be addressed?
- What is the role for wired backhaul in small cell architectures?
- How is wired backhaul deployed?
- What are the attractions and drawbacks of wired backhaul for the mobile operators?
The information in this report will be valuable for:
- Cellular carriers, particularly those servicing the U.S. market
- Mobile backhaul providers, including telcos and cable MSOs
- Wired and wireless backhaul vendors and solution providers
- Mobile OEMs, particularly those servicing the U.S. market
- Wired and wireless infrastructure vendors, particularly those servicing the U.S. market
- Financial and investment analysts.
The new report can be purchased and downloaded directly from iGR's website at www.iGR-inc.com. Alternatively, contact Iain Gillott at (512) 263-5682 or at Iain@iGR-inc.com for additional details.
About iGR
iGR is a market strategy consultancy focused on the wireless and mobile communications industry. Founded by Iain Gillott, one of the wireless industry's leading analysts, in late 2000 as iGillottResearch, iGR is now entering its fourteenth year of operation. iGR continuously researches emerging and existent technologies, technology industries, and consumer markets. We use our detailed research to offer a range of services to help companies improve their position in the marketplace, clearly define their future direction, and ultimately improve their bottom line.
iGR researches a range of wireless and mobile products and technologies, including: smartphones; tablets; mobile wearable devices; connected cars; mobile applications; bandwidth demand and use; small cell and het-net architectures; mobile EPC and RAN virtualization; DAS; LTE; VoLTE; IMS; NFC; GSM/GPRS/UMTS/HSPA; CDMA 1x/EV-DO; iDEN; SIP; macro-, pico- and femtocells; mobile backhaul; WiFi and WiFi offload; and SIM and UICC.
A more complete profile of the company can be found at www.igr-inc.com.
Contact Information:
Contact iGR
Iain Gillott
(512) 263-5682