CAMPBELL, CA--(Marketwire - August 12, 2009) - Market research firm Infonetics Research released results from its latest report, IP/Ethernet in Mobile Backhaul Networks: Global Service Provider Survey, which helps determine current carrier thinking about the drivers, barriers, and expected timing on the movement to IP and Ethernet backhaul.

"The move to IP/Ethernet backhaul is well underway, but not without challenges. The strongest barrier to adopting IP/Ethernet backhaul is the lack of Ethernet services to cell sites, and many service providers are responding to the challenge by deploying fiber to their copper-fed cell sites, and offering services. Operators and transport providers believe that packet timing/synchronization is not ready for 2G/3G voice traffic, so manufacturers should focus on development, interoperability, and deployment efforts to overcome the issues surrounding this perception," said Michael Howard, Infonetics Research's co-founder and principal analyst for carrier and data center networks.

-- Mobile backhaul equipment is a hot market: carrier investments jumped a healthy 19% in 2008 to $4.6 billion worldwide and are expected to near $11 billion by 2013, as the Internet goes increasingly mobile -- The top three events triggering IP/Ethernet deployment include deploying LTE, installing IP base stations with an IP lub interface or with Ethernet, and adding high capacity high speed packet access (HSPA+) -- Respondent service providers perceive that there are challenges to overcome, such as timing/synchronization issues, and many therefore are pursuing a dual or hybrid strategy -- 60% will leave voice traffic (still the main revenue source) on existing TDM backhaul facilities through 2011 or later -- By 2011, 73% will have voice and data on a single IP/Ethernet backhaul in parts of their network -- 40% of respondents will have 5% to 10% of their cell sites backhauled using Ethernet microwave by the end of 2010

Infonetics' IP/Ethernet in mobile backhaul networks survey provides a strategic overview of wireless, competitive, MSO, and incumbent mobile network operators and their deployment plans, strategies, drivers and barriers, as well as estimates of the percentage of cell site connections where they will use each of 11 technologies: Ethernet microwave, PDH (T1, E1), SDH/SONET, IP/Ethernet, PON, WiMAX, cable, DSL, and satellite.

Infonetics Research is an international market research and consulting firm serving the communications industry since 1990. A leader in defining and tracking emerging and established technologies in all world regions, Infonetics helps clients plan, strategize, and compete more effectively.