(Accedian Networks') EtherNEWS Blog

Some 58 percent of mobile operators recently interviewed by Infonetics Research report that they will deploy small cells (microcells and picocells) by the end of 2011, and 68 percent plan to in the future, a clear indication that use of small cells is a growing part of 3G network coverage plans.

By definition, new small cells will require new backhaul facilities. About 150 operators are actively deploying a single (no TDM) all-IP/Ethernet backhaul in some part of their network in 2011, up from 25 in 2009 and about 100 in 2010, Infonetics says.

Since one can assume that small cells are designed to beef up capacity in areas of high usage, and since the traffic demands are driven by Internet traffic, not voice, one also can assume that Ethernet backhaul will be almost certain choice for new microcells and picocells.

http://www.infonetics.com/pr/2011/IP-Etherent-and-Small-Cell-Backhaul-Strategies-Survey.asp