ADVA Optical Networking launches AnyCell(TM) Connectivity

Combining a range of ADVA FSP hardware and software, AnyCell(TM) Connectivity is a blueprint for the mobile industry that offers a direct migration path from current radio access network (RAN) infrastructures to high-performance mobile broadband networks. AnyCell(TM) Connectivity is based around three elements: performance-assured Carrier Ethernet backhaul, precise time and phase synchronization and managed optical fronthaul, using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology. The combination focuses on new ways to flexibly connect the vast array of macro cells, small cells and remote radio heads (RRHs) that are required to answer the enormous increase in mobile data.

"Mobile network operators (MNOs) are reaching a critical juncture, a crossroads where they need to make key networking decisions that will impact upon their business, their bottom line and, most importantly, their customers," said Christoph Glingener, CTO, ADVA Optical Networking. "The continued fierce growth in mobile data and the need to maximize the use of available spectrum requires MNOs to evolve their RANs. There are several solutions they can apply: migrate to LTE-Advanced, introduce a small cell layer or consolidate base band units to drive efficiencies by deploying remote radio heads. All approaches ultimately improve their customers' experience and increase coverage. The question is what to deploy where and when. There are critical technology choices to be made. AnyCell(TM) Connectivity provides the flexibility needed to help MNOs take the next step. No other solution provides more flexibility, no other solution provides better service assurance."

ADVA Optical Networking's AnyCell(TM) Connectivity team has worked extensively with fixed and mobile operators to develop a unique solution that addresses all critical fronthaul and backhaul challenges for future mobile broadband networks. With AnyCell(TM) Connectivity, MNOs are able to rapidly connect macro cells and small cells. The solution supports both conventional base station and Cloud-RAN designs connecting more remote radio heads to centralized base band units. With AnyCell(TM) Connectivity, MNOs can use advanced precise time and phase synchronization to support advanced interference cancellation and spectrum coordination techniques that actually increases network efficiency. While wireline operators can offer fronthaul and backhaul services that are fully service assured and future proof.

"LTE-Advanced is driving development of new RAN architectures," says Gabriel Brown, senior analyst with Heavy Reading. "Emerging technologies, such as HetNets, pico RRH, Cloud RAN and coordinated multipoint (CoMP), have important implications for the supporting network design and will drive an expanded role for optical wavelength solutions, both for conventional cell site backhaul, and to meet the extreme capacity and latency requirements of fronthaul links used to connect RRHs to centralized baseband pools."