Converged Packet Backhaul to Drive the Cell Site Aggregation Market, New Report FindsDemand for specialist cell site equipment will grow as operators move to converged packet transmission to cope with high-speed data traffic, says Unstrung InsiderPRNewswire NEW YORK, March 7 /PRNewswire/ -- With cell site capacity requirements set to double over the next few years to support the rollout of high-speed 3G and WiMax data services, the high cost of backhaul could ruin industry profitability unless operators begin investment in packet-based transmission facilities, finds a new report from Unstrung Insider (http://www.unstrung.com/insider), a paid research service of CMP Technology's Light Reading (http://www.lightreading.com/). "Mobile Backhaul & Cell Site Aggregation: State of the Art" examines backhaul requirements over the coming years, looks at the impact this could have on operating expenses, and evaluates how operators can reduce the cost per bit of transmission using converged, packet-based access networks. The deployment of specialist cell site and hub site aggregation equipment is vital to the migration from TDM-centric backhaul dominated by leased-line connectivity to more efficient packet-switched transmission that captures the cost advantages of Ethernet and IP technology. Such devices sit between radio base stations and the transmission network and are located at the cell site itself or at remote aggregation nodes. Features of this equipment include multiple types of traffic management and switching functions, which include grooming, optimization, multiplexing, quality of service marking, data offload, and pseudowire encapsulation. With more than 2 million cellular base stations deployed worldwide, demand for such equipment is set to accelerate rapidly, finds the Unstrung Insider report. "At U.S. list prices of between $2,000 and $5,000 per cell site gateway, there's an opportunity for vendors to grab a share of an expanding market," notes Gabriel Brown, Unstrung Insider Chief Analyst and author of the report. "Operators need future-proof equipment that enables them to take advantage of whatever connectivity options are available in the future, and ultimately to converge all traffic on a single packet-based transmission network." Among the key findings from the report: * Demand for specialist cell site equipment is set to accelerate as operators move to hybrid architectures and converged, all-packet transmission networks to cope with data traffic * Microwave will continue to replace leased lines; with prices for 16-Mbit/s links at less than $10,000, carriers are able to generate ROI in just two years; emerging Ethernet and adaptive modulation features further extend its competitiveness * Optical Ethernet is the transport of choice, but there's a lot of hype in the market; near-term realities make for a transition period, in which bonded copper remains critical * Strategic operator thinking sees cellular as one part of a multiservice access network; fixed/mobile convergence and industry consolidation are reinforcing this trend Companies analyzed in this report include: Carrier Access Corp.; Celtro Ltd.; Ceterus Networks Inc.; Cisco Systems Inc.; Kentrox LLC; NMS Communications Corp.; RAD Data Communications Ltd.; Sycamore Networks Inc.; Tellabs Inc.; and Verso Technologies Inc. "Mobile Backhaul & Cell Site Aggregation: State of the Art" is available as part of an annual subscription (12 issues) to Unstrung Insider, priced at $1,595. Individual reports are available for $900. To subscribe, or for more information about this report, please visit: http://www.unstrung.com/insider. For more information about other Light Reading Insider services, please visit: http://www.lightreading.com/research. To request a free executive summary of the report, or for details on multi-user licensing options, please contact: Jeff Claudino Director of Sales Insider Research Services 619-229-9940 claudino@lightreading.com Press/analyst contact: Dennis Mendyk Managing Director Insider Research Services 201-587-2154 mendyk@heavyreading.com About CMP Technology CMP Technology (http://www.cmp.com/) is a marketing solutions company serving the technology industry. Through its market-leading portfolio of trusted information brands, CMP has earned the confidence of more technology professionals than any other media company. As a result, CMP is the premier provider of access, insight and actionable programs designed to connect sellers and buyers in ways that yield superior return on investment. CMP Technology is a subsidiary of United Business Media (http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com/), a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $3 billion. SOURCE: Unstrung Insider CONTACT: Jeff Claudino, Director of Sales, Insider Research Services, Web site: http://www.unstrung.com/insider |