NGMN Whitepaper LTE Backhauling Deployment Scenarios

With the introduction of LTE operators need to look at how the backhauling network, the network domain that connects evolved NodeBs (eNBs) to MME and S/P-GW, is capable of adapting to the new requirements, namely the adoption of a packet infrastructure, without disrupting the existing services. This paper introduces some reference architectures, moving from a pure layer 2 topology to a full layer 3 one, discussing some elements to be considered in the design process of a network. The purpose of this is to support operators in their migration from current architectures to new, packet-based backhaul networks.