fiberbackhaul

Fiber backhaul is the portion of a telecommunications network that transports aggregated traffic from access networks—such as mobile base stations and enterprise connections—to the core network, using optical fiber as the transmission medium. It is designed to provide high capacity and low latency, and can use point-to-point links or ring and other topologies, often employing wavelength-division multiplexing to multiply capacity on a single fiber.

Key technologies include DWDM and CWDM, which carry multiple optical channels on the same fiber. Capacity is expanded through multiplexing, high-bandwidth transceivers, and, in some cases, multi-fiber runs. In many networks, fiber backhaul is deployed as dark fiber or lit services provided by carriers, with redundancy and diverse routing to improve resilience.

Deployment considerations include the cost and process of laying fiber, rights-of-way, and ongoing maintenance. Reliability is typically enhanced with diverse paths, ring protections, and robust network management. Security and physical protection of the fiber also play roles in planning and operation.

In mobile networks, fiber backhaul links base stations to the core and to 5G midhaul/backhaul infrastructure, enabling high-capacity, low-latency transmission. While fiber backhaul is dominant for many deployments, some environments supplement it with microwave or satellite links for last-mile connectivity where fiber is impractical or uneconomical. Overall, fiber backhaul is a foundational element for scalable, carrier-grade transport in contemporary telecom networks.