Verizon Wireless has taken steps to make sure its network is backhaul-ready for Long Term Evolution (LTE), and it’s using Ethernet-based fiber optic technology through Verizon Partner Solutions to get the job done.
The U.S. wholesale division says the fiber links are available to other wireless carriers, as well.
Verizon’s fiber-optic Ethernet backhaul capabilities are a key part of Verizon Wireless’ overall 4G/LTE rollout, the company says. Getting adequate backhaul in place was one of the challenges Sprint Nextel faced when it was preparing for its Xohm WiMAX service launch.
Verizon says fiber doesn’t suffer the same impact of weather or electromagnetic interference that can plague microwave and copper-based links. Thousands of Verizon Wireless’ cell sites and mobile switching offices across the country are among the first being networked using the fiber optic technology.
Of course, Verizon Partner Solutions doesn’t mind if a carrier is using LTE or WiMAX – all comers are welcome. “In an increasingly wireless-dependent society, cellular carriers like Verizon Wireless are engineering their networks to meet both the exploding voice and data traffic demands of today and the capacity requirements that next-generation wireless technologies like LTE and WiMAX will place on their facilities,” said Quintin Lew, senior vice president of marketing for Verizon Partner Solutions.
Verizon’s fiber backhaul solutions include a Switched Ethernet Service, an all-Ethernet option and an Ethernet over synchronous optical network (SONET) choice. In each case, data from the cell site is converted to packetized data for transport to mobile phone switching offices for distribution over the networks.
