Backhaul

What is it?

A backhaul is a combination of copper, fiber, or wireless links that connect core (backbone) networks with subnetworks utilized by end users to access the web. Among other things, a backhaul serves to grow the expanse of network coverage. In commercial and technical terms, a backhaul constitutes a part of a network responsible for communicating with the Internet by carrying data traffic.

The most common application of backhauls is found in mobile networks. This use case puts a backhaul in charge of transferring data between base stations and mobile devices.

How does it work?

The function of backhauls may be illustrated by mobile networks. In this context, a subnetwork that a backhaul connects with the core network consists of mobile phones that communicate with a specific cell tower. This backhaul connection may comprise cables, fiber optics, or wireless components, including microwave bands, mesh network topologies, and edge network architectures. Criteria essential to plan a backhaul network embrace bandwidth (the network’s maximal capacity to transfer data in a specific amount of time) and latency (time for data to be transported from point A to B).