Can Telcos and Cable Operators Come Together to Address Backhaul Challenges

If telecom network is a car, then backhauling of its data is the fuel on which that car runs. And when we are talking about an always on “alive network scenario”, where data carries more importance when compared to voice, than efficient backhauling holds the big key to an operators success in terms of fulfilling their promised services.

And in this scenario, where strengthening of backhaul becomes lifeline to move up, the telecom ecosystem must come together to create winning strategies where better data services are delivered for the end customer, the way they want it and convergence of telecom and cable operators can pave the way for better mobile backhauling scenario.

“At a time when 3G and 4G services are pushing data loads on the network, operators must understand the importance of efficient backhauling so that complete bouquet of their services gets delivered at the customer level. And this means that operators should look at multiple set of technologies and options in order to achieve better efficiency levels for backhauling of their data,” explained, Shyamal Ghosh, Former USO Fund Administrator and Chairman, Broadband India Forum. He was speaking at a conference on Mobile Backhaul: Challenges and Opportunities in 4G perspective in New Delhi.

Talking about utilizing the amalgamation of last mile infrastructure by cable operators and strong carrier grade networks from telcos, Col Mahesh Khera, President, Broadband India Forum, said that carriers are not able to reach out to every 3G cell site and hence there are big challenges towards enabling efficient backhaul and this is where cable operators can help.

“Today, we have mobile networks, but these networks are being run without Oxygen as there is limited backhaul. At the same time we have more than 150 million cable TV homes and we have an undergoing digitization of cable TV. Hence this is an ideal opportunity to bring together telcos and cable operators in order to solve the backhaul challenge,” he explained.

Digital IP Nextgen Converged Ubiquitous Network

When data services call for better backhauling techniques, it is creating more pressure on the existing infrastructure of telecom operators network and in such a situation, operators should look for cost effective solutions that can strengthen their backhaul while at the same time provide the last mile access. And creation of DINCU or Digital IP Nextgen Converged Ubiquitous Network is an effort in this direction. This is where cable networks can converge to deliver last mile access to telecom networks and hence provide a big boost to their backhauling capabilities as well.

“MSOs and cable operators are strong on last mile connectivity while telecom operators are strong on their carrier grade networks. And when both the forces combine, we can have greater synergies for better delivery of data services at the end customer level as well as create an efficient backhaul for the operators. This way, there mobile backhaul will be strengthened at least cost,” Col Mahesh Khera explained.

Stressing upon the need to have better backhaul, Rahul Khullar, Chairman, TRAI said that access and speed are two most crucial elements for providing broadband access today and incorporating better backhaul can address both these issues.

“India is a country where we have more than 50,000 villages without mobile connectivity. Today, they are living in an era which is 20 years back in time. All this needs to change fast. We need to have better backbone and better backbone can only happen when we have better and efficient backhaul,” he added.

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