Small Cells Intro Spurs Growth in Mobile Backhaul T&M, Heavy Reading Finds

NEW YORK, May 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Prospects for wide adoption of small cells in mobile networks are driving significant growth in demand for test and measurement tools aimed specifically at small-cell backhaul deployment, according to the latest report from Heavy Reading Insider (www.heavyreading.com/mobile-networks), a subscription research service from Heavy Reading (www.heavyreading.com).

Small Cells Mean Big Business for Backhaul Test Vendors examines the test and measurement market for small-cell backhaul, analyzing how and where backhaul is being used, as well as areas of growth expected in the market over the next two years. It discusses drivers and challenges in the industry and includes a comparative analysis of solutions available. Finally, it examines the geographic landscape of the market and details trends that are likely to occur in the industry over the next 18 to 24 months.

Here's a list of companies covered in this report: http://twimgs.com/audiencedevelopment/LRHR/PDFS/mni0514_companies.pdf

"The wireless test equipment market is expected to reach $4.8 billion by 2018, and one of the fastest growing verticals is found in testing and monitoring of backhaul," says Denise Culver, research analyst with Heavy Reading Insider and author of the report. "Test and measurement of backhaul has been an important facet of mobile network architects since Ethernet-based backhaul was introduced, specifically because of the timing in the inherently asynchronous protocol."

The changes in mobile backhaul architecture, including introduction of small cells, adds complexity and challenges for backhaul performance monitoring, Culver says. "This includes the need for more efficient and cost-effective collection of data from different network points, as well as the integration and presentation of this data at higher layers," she continues. "Over the coming two years, mobile backhaul test and measurement will steadily increase in size and importance as end-user demand for data bandwidth continues to grow exponentially."

Key findings of Small Cells Mean Big Business for Backhaul Test Vendors include the following:

• Data growth per user is reaching as much as 50 percent per year, largely due to video, pushing bandwidth demands to phenomenal rates for wireless operators.
• In both mobile video and LTE, operators must focus bandwidth solutions to ensure customer QoE and reduce churn.
• Some vendors are so bullish on the backhaul test and measurement market that they project 75 percent growth in the next two years.
• A significant driver in the market is the desire to increase the number of small cells on a network without degrading QoE.
• One trend expected by most vendors is for carriers to be pushed into being more consistent about meeting SLAs.

Small Cells Mean Big Business for Backhaul Test Vendors is available as part of an annual single-user subscription (six issues) to Heavy Reading Mobile Networks Insider, priced at $1,595. Individual reports are available for $900 (single-user license).

To subscribe, or for more information, please visit: www.heavyreading.com/mobile-networks. For more information on all of Heavy Reading's Insider services, please visit www.heavyreading.com/research.

To request a free executive summary of the report, or for details on multi-user licensing options, please contact:

David Williams
Global Director of Sales, Research
Heavy Reading
858-829-8612
[email protected]

Press/analyst contact:
Dennis Mendyk
Vice President of Research, Heavy Reading
201-587-2154
[email protected]

About Heavy Reading
Heavy Reading (www.heavyreading.com), the research division of Light Reading, offers deep analysis of emerging telecom trends to network operators, technology suppliers, and investors. Its product portfolio includes in-depth reports that address critical next-generation technology and service issues, market trackers that focus on the telecom industry's most critical technology sectors, exclusive worldwide surveys of network operator decision-makers that identify future purchasing and deployment plans, and a rich array of custom and consulting services that give clients the market intelligence needed to compete successfully in the global telecom industry. 

About Light Reading

Light Reading (www.lightreading.com) combines its research-led online communities and targeted events portfolio to help those in the global communications industry make informed decisions. Lightreading.com is the ultimate source for telecom analysis for more than 350,000 subscribers each month, leading the media sector in terms of traffic, content, and reputation. Light Reading produces targeted communications events and focused one-day conferences each year for cable, mobile, and wireline executives across five continents.

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SOURCE Heavy Reading