Huawei releases “X-Haul” 5G mobile bearer solution

Huawei has officially released a 5G-oriented mobile bearer solution called X-Haul that promises to help cellcos cope with challenges of bearer network bandwidth, latency, connections, and O&M as they roll out 5G networks and services.

The typical 5G service groups envisioned by the 3GPP – enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), and ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communication (uRLLC) – will require 5G bearer networks to be capable of supporting rapid service deployment and agile operation. They’ll also have to be aligned with expansion of existing 3G and 4G bearer networks. All of this requires the bearer networks to be constructed as efficiently as possible, reducing the overall TCO.

Huawei says its X-Haul solution supports diverse 5G access methods with an overall solution with full fronthaul and backhaul coverage, implementing flexible access in all scenarios. Flexible networking is implemented through IP, microwave, and OTN access technologies, enabling unified fronthaul and backhaul bearing whether or not optical cables are used.

The launch includes a 50GE/100GE adaptive network slicing router for backhaul scenarios in areas that have a high population density, a 5G-ready microwave solution for non-optical scenarios, and a 100G full-outdoor WDM device for fronthaul scenarios, which is deployed at the same site as the base station to save optical cable resources.

Huawei X-Haul also introduces a cloud-based architecture that enables agile operations on 5G bearer networks. The management and control plane implements centralized orchestration through the Network Cloud Engine for various network media such as IP, optical and microwave. The device plane introduces segment routing, EVPN and OSP-TE protocols, simplifying bearer device control plane protocols and unifying the service model to implement the whole automated management life cycle of the bearer network.

“The 5G era is approaching, and the shape that service modes will take is not yet certain,” said Jeffrey Gao, president of Huawei Router & Carrier Ethernet Product Line. “The Huawei X-Haul solution fully supports 4G/5G bearing, so as to effectively support operators’ new service development and expand the business blueprint.”