Home > More Events > Backhaul Strategies for Mobile Operators: Europe 2007

Conference Program

• 08:45 a.m. - 09:00 a.m.     Registration & Welcome
  
  
• 09:00 a.m. - 09:30 a.m.     Introduction by Patrick Donegan
                                                 Backhaul Strategies for Mobile Operators
  
  In this first session, Heavy Reading Senior Analyst Patrick Donegan will provide an overview of the challenges facing European carriers as they seek to reduce the cost-per-bit of transporting mobile broadband traffic through their networks. Drawing on extensive new research carried out during the first quarter of 2007, the shortcomings of the current E1-oriented TDM model will be assessed together with the opportunity and implementation challenges of packet-based backhaul from the perspective of CDMA, GSM, and W-CDMA.
  
  
• 09:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.     Keynote: Frank Meywerk, Executive VP, Radio Access Network Planning & Deployment,
                                                 T-Mobile Germany
                                                 Evolving the Multiservice Backhaul to IP
  
  In this session, Mr. Meywerk will provide an outline of the operator's backhaul topology, detailing the cost structure and challenges this represents. He will then explain architectural decisions that have already been taken in order to upgrade the network to a lower-cost, packet-based structure. Finally, he will assess further options that are under evaluation, giving a perspective on the opportunities and risks associated with each.
  
  
• 10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.     Vendor Perspectives
  
  
• 11:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.     Break
  
  
• 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.     Panel Session 1
                                                 Bringing Broadband Backhaul Connectivity to the Cell Site
  
  In this session, moderated by Gabriel Brown, panelists will debate the cost/benefit profiles of different copper, fiber, and microwave access technologies. The challenge of converging multiple traffic types onto a common, packet-based backhaul network will be addressed, as well as the role of cell site aggregation equipment in integrating multiple generations of base-station equipment.
  
  
• 12:30 p.m. - 01:45 p.m.     Lunch & Table-Top Displays
  
  
• 01:45 p.m. - 02:30 p.m.     Vendor Perspectives
  
  
• 02:30 p.m. - 03:00 p.m.     Keynote: Roberto Micali, Senior Network Engineer, Telecom Italia Lab
                                                 Using MPLS, Pseudo Wires, and Metro Ethernet for the UMTS Backhaul
  
  In this second keynote, Mr Micali will analyze UMTS architecture evolution and assess the impact of HSPA on transport requirements. He will examine the role of IP/MPLS and Metro Ethernet for mobile backhaul in the context of a converged next-generation network. Additionally, he will present Telecom Italia's experience of backhauling UMTS traffic over Metro Ethernet using pseudowires to support legacy ATM and TDM data streams.
  
  
• 03:00 p.m. - 03:15 p.m.     Coffee Break
  
  
• 03:15 p.m. - 04:15 p.m.     Vendor Perspectives
  
  
• 04:15 p.m. - 05:15 p.m.     Panel Session 2
                                                 Bullet-Proofing Ethernet Service for Cellular Backhaul Requirements
  
  In this session, moderated by Patrick Donegan, panelists will discuss the requirements of an Ethernet service for cellular backhaul. Consideration will be given to issues such as security, reliability, OAM security, and synchronization as well as the challenge of implementing them at a cost point low enough to sustain the initial cost advantage Ethernet promises, compared with other solutions.
  
  
• 05:15 p.m. - 06:30 p.m.     Cocktail & Table-Top Displays