White Papers
5G-ready Mobile Fronthaul
Transformational impact of the 5G network architecture extends right from radio access to the optical metro and core segments. The transport infrastructure is the key to secure the best 5G experience. It is imperative to upgrade to a high-performance and highly reliable end-to-end optical fiber network that cost-effectively fulfils end-user demands. 5G use cases such as Ultrareliable low latency communications (URLLC) and Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) require deterministic real-time latency (end-to-end delay) for services. Each use case presents distinct challenges for 5G fronthaul performance. Mobile fronthaul effectively moves the radio elements close to the end users, plays a pivotal role in meeting these stringent latency demands. The paper presents an overview of the fronthaul transport technologies and a recommended 5G fronthaul architecture.