The market for new mobile applications is dynamic and requires significant enhancement to the mobile backhaul infrastructure, already growing at over well over 100% per year. Bandwidth consumption is already dominated by data.
This growth has become severely constrained by prohibitive costs and scalability issues of legacy TDM(EI/T1) networks. It has been recognized that Ethernet provides the only viable solution to handle the growth, technical and financial issues. In addition, only Ethernet supports 4G/LTE.  To accelerate this transition, the MEF's new Mobile Backhaul Implementation Agreement (MEF 22) provides guidelines for implementing mobile backhaul network that is based on Carrier Ethernet. The document includes requirements and recommendations for the equipment, architecture & operation of Mobile Backhaul network.  It provides a set of requirements and guidelines detailing the use of existing MEF standards and other industry standards in a way that best fit mobile backhaul requirements. The Implementation Agreement aims to describe best practices as a blueprint for a successful implementation of mobile backhaul services.
MEF 22 Highlights: Generic specification for Ethernet backhaul architectures for mobile networks (2G, 3G, 4G) Explains how to apply existing MEF specifications User-Network Interface requirements Service Requirements Service Definitions Clock synchronization It is anticipated that all networks wire-line and wireless will migrate to Ethernet over a period of time. These emulation services are designed to create a smooth transition which protects investment in legacy networks. In addition to the above Carrier Ethernet for Mobile backhaul provides a new wholesaling opportunities for wireline services providers.Full details are in the resources listed at the top of the page. Summary: Why Carrier Ethernet? New mobile applications and bandwidth growth much greater than 100% Meets exploding bandwidth demand currently constrained by the prohibitive costs and scalability issues of legacy networks Leverages rapid move to Carrier Ethernet for wireline traffic  enabling a single integrated wireline and mobile backhaul network Most Mobile Traffic is Broadband/IP Centric and legacy networks cannot support 4g and LTE. Carrier Ethernet is optimized for packet data traffic Much easier for service providers to manage and maintain Unlimited scalability and ubiquity Reliability with full SLA support and full OAM capabilities MEF certification enables and accelerates full inter-operability Mobile Backhaul for Operators MEF 22 Specification & Technical Overview Mobile backhaul White Paper Frequently Asked Questions Press Briefing More Resources Press Release Case Study: provided by MEF Member Optimum LightPath - "Leveraging Carrier Ethernet for Wireless Backhaul" Wall Chart: Carrier Ethernet for Mobile Backhaul