Mobile Backhaul

10.5 Outsourcing the MBH Network or Parts of it

Use of leased connections or outsourced services as a part of the MBH network on a longer term basis is both a big economic question and a major strategic decision, and it is also related to a number of technical considerations, especially in the case of packet networks. But such services can also be used on a more temporary basis, e.g. for filling a gap between two implementation phases of the in-house MBH network, and in such cases this has little or no influence on strategic or organizational issues.

The size of leasing or out-sourcing, i.e. how a big part of the MBH network is in question, affects greatly all the following considerations and comparisons – for a small local use of transport services some rough calculations may be enough (still the technical issues must be clarified, see Section 10.5.3) while for a regional or network wide MBH out-sourcing clearly very extensive calculations and comparisons of different aspects are necessary.

In all cases availability of transport services in the mobile network area is the first question to be answered; in addition to the present situation, some view of the future development of the service offerings is required. It is also necessary to evaluate whether reliability and quality of these services will be of a proper level for the MBH usage (detailed technical clarifications may be left to a later phase). Then next tariffs and their forecasted development is to be taken into account ...