Despite forecasted quadratic growth of cellular traffic over the next several years, no in-depth analysis of brownfield and greenfield Long Term Evolution (LTE) backhaul deployment over different local access network options has been published. The models in this paper integrate engineering with economic analysis of the backhaul to support LTE mobile broadband network using digital subscriber line (DSL), cable (DOCSIS), fiber, or microwave networks for the backhaul network. The results of the model allow a cellular provider to determine when to upgrade a network and determine which backhaul solution is the lowest cost depending upon traffic load and spectrum allocation. The model results indicate that the Net Present Value (NPV) do favor fiber passive optical network (PON) for a high population density, while for a low population density brownfield DOCSIS is favored. The model demonstrates that demand for the next ten years can be met with Long Term Evolution Unlicensed (LTE-U).
Dr. David Reed at University of Colorado at Boulder endorsed the submission of this paper to TPRC.
