he small-cell backhaul opportunity looks custom-built for the cableindustry. But the mobile industry has options, and cable operators will have to winthis business with solutions that fit the need precisely and economically.Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are looking to increase the capacity and extend theirreach of their networks. One way is with small cells, also known as femtocells, picocells ormicrocells. These low-powered radio access nodes have a reach of between ten and severalhundred meters, vs. tens of kilometers for a typical macrocell from a cell tower.Cable operators are well positioned to serve the needs of these MNOs, having alreadybecome expert at backhauling MNO traffic from macrocells. Ongoing deployment of WiFihotspots gives them additional credibility in wireless access. The industry’s ubiquitousHFC architecture also helps MNOs solve one of their greatest small-cell concerns: findingsuitable sites.Backhaul competitionThe cable industry’s physical plant offers MNOs a limitless number of locations that,with the right kind of gateways, can handle small-cell backhaul via DOCSIS or fiber. Butcable is not the only answer to this challenge…Wireless technology providers have been eyeing this opportunity for several years.Solutions include Line-of-Sight (LOS) systems in the microwave or millimeter wave regions;non-LOS technologies that play in sub 6 GHz carrier frequencies; LOS satellite transmission;and new technology that uses unlicensed spectrum in the so-called TV white spaces.Drivers, obstaclesThe mobile industry is on a steep deployment curve. According to Informa Telecoms &Media, by early 2013 MNOs had already installed nearly 11 million small cells globally. Thefirm expects that number to hit 92 million by 2016. One driver is the mobile industry’s ongoing network upgrades. Small cells complement2G and 3G, but they are integral to 4G/LTE architecture. Some 4G upgrades are complete,and others are works in progress. Current efforts to combine 3G, 4G/LTE and Wi-Fitechnology into a single small cell unit may be slowing down deployment velocity.When deploying small cells (whether hybrid or not) MNOs must take several factors intoaccount, such as the best location of the small cell to gain maximum penetration and how topower them where traditional power may not be available. As the MNOs try to push theirradios into more granular locations at intersections, highways or parks, powering seems tobe one of their largest hurdles to overcome. As the mobile industry tests multi-mode small cells and continues to look for ways todeepen overall small-cell penetration, now is a good time for cable operators to re-statetheir case. Here are a few considerations:
Cable can compete. Wireless backhaul solutions may have an edge, but cable is aviable contender. Operators should play to their strengths, which include an extensivephysical presence, fiber and DOCSIS 3.0 speeds and capabilities, convenient power sourcefrom the HFC plant and business services units already engaged in backhauling traffic frommacrocells. Flexibility is a virtue. Just as MNOs are trying to spec and validate multi-mode smallcells, so too they have particular demands on small-cell backhaul. At Lindsay, our ability tointegrate already approved components enables us to help cable operators move quickly asthis market unfolds.
Gateways to successAt Lindsay, our strength is the ability to harden and integrate cable modems, mediaconverters, PON optical networking units (ONUs) and demarcation NIDs with SLAs frommany different manufacturers into enclosures that work both indoors and outdoors. These DOCSIS and fiber gateways are designed to help the industry to leverage itsstrengths and swiftly seize the small-cell backhaul opportunity.
LINDSAYSmall-Cell Backhaul: The Case for Cable
David Atman, President,
lindsay broadband [email protected] in 1953, Lindsay is one ofthe original cable TV equipmentmanufacturers. Today Lindsaycontinues to design, innovate,produce and supply the worldcommunications markets withoutdoor-hardened RF, optical andwireless products. Lindsay has60 years of proven reliability andsuperior performance under themost severe climatic conditions,resulting in better service at loweroperating costs.
T
“Cable operators are wellpositioned to serve theneeds of these Mnos,having already becomeexpert at backhauling Mno traffic frommacrocells. ongoingdeployment of Wifihotspots gives themadditional credibility inwireless access.”
www.lindsaybroadbandinc.com
As LTE Small Cells come to street level, the CATV operator is in a unique position of having the capabilities in place to backhaul Mobile Operators’ traffic.
So…How does the CATV Operator utilize their existing DOCSIS and Optical infrastructure to generate revenue from these LTE Small Cell Deployments?
LINDSAY BROADBAND’s Gateway platform utilizes its 60 years of outside plant expertise to provide communication and powering (up to 260 Watts) from the Cable Strand to the LTE Small Cells.
INDOOR RACK MOUNTED GATEWAYStandard 19in Rack110/220v PoweringFiber or Ethernet to the LTEDOCSIS and Optical Backhaul optionsNetwork Interface Devices (NID) options
STRAND MOUNTED GATEWAYHardened Enclosure40-90v powering from the plantProvides external powering up to 260WFiber or Ethernet to LTEEMI ProtectionDOCSIS and Optical Backhaul optionsNetwork Interface Devices (NID) options
LTE Small Cell Backhaul…No Problem!
Call 800-465-7046 for more Information. Tough Wireless, Optical and RF Solutions.
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40 broadband library — fall 2013
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