Tellabs Blog

It’s been evident for quite some time that the explosive growth in the number of IP-enabled mobile devices is exhausting IPv4 addresses. Thankfully, the next-generation protocol, IPv6, can support 2128 IP addresses —an almost limitless number of devices—each with its own unique IP address.

LTE backhaul can enable mobile operators to deliver tremendous, wireline-like data speeds to their customers. To deliver this promise, operators first need to overcome many challenges. These challenges are truly unique, because LTE fundamentally changes the nature and requirements of mobile backhaul networks.

Contrary to traditional TDM and ATM based 2G and 3G networks, LTE networks are based on IP connectivity. This technology offers more flexibility and cost-efficiency. But the architecture of LTE, combined with the open nature of IP, makes LTE networks far more vulnerable to attack than their TDM-based predecessors.

Friends, family members and even total strangers communicate with each other with an ever-increasing variety of social media and VoIP services. People exchange music, photos and YouTube videos that they want to stream quickly and easily over networks with smartphones, tablets or other mobile devices.

These popular new methods of communicating present new challenges for service providers and their networks.