Currently, a lot of efforts are put in place to design and implement a high-capacity, flexible and highly efficient 5G network infrastructure. A very important consideration that should be kept in mind when designing future 5G networks is developing an adequate network architecture and high-capacity and future-proof backhaul and fronthaul links. Especially novel network concepts such as the cloud radio access network (C-RAN) set very high requirements on the backhaul and fronthaul connectivity and call for a solution that ensures high-capacity, flexibility, practicability and future readiness while providing an easy and economical migration path.This paper examines deployment options for converged optical-wireless access networks in urban areas regarding their cost efficiency and implementation flexibility. It presents results of a case study for a coordinated planning of optical fixed access and wireless backhaul solutions for 5G networks by considering following options: i) roll-out of a converged fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network infrastructure that provides both fixed internet access and integrated cellular backhaul, ii) use of the existing fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC) network infrastructure to provide the backhaul for cellular networks, and iii) deployment of a dedicated optical fiber network to act as backhaul of cellular networks. A techno-economic study was carried out to compare the economic viability of the three deployment options under realistic assumptions.
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Bongard et al. (2020) studied this question.