As the amount of mobile data traffic continues to grow, wireless service providers (WSPs) are increasingly looking to Ethernet backhaul to cope. Next-generation Ethernet backhaul offers the opportunity for WSPs to raise margins by lowering the cost per bit of managing mobile data traffic. However, as WSPs are already beginning to realize, managing Carrier Ethernet performance is extremely complicated, largely because of high QoS demands associated with the various types of services traveling over mobile networks and the many technical options available to deploy new network infrastructure.
As a result of this complexity, WSPs are struggling to guarantee the same end-to-end mobile service quality, and, despite the transport technology's cost advantages, are shying away from Carrier Ethernet due to their lack of familiarity with efficiently managing and assuring its performance. Without an actionable, end-to-end view of network performance data, WSPs are left with minimal, if any, visibility into the performance of Carrier Ethernet, and have, therefore, resorted to paying more for sub-par backhaul network performance. However, with increased visibility, WSPs are able to take great strides ahead of competitors, differentiating themselves within the market through offering superior QoS.
More specifically, WSPs need better end-to-end service quality visibility and a solution that enables Lifecycle-Aware Performance Assurance. With it, they have the potential to more accurately predict and assure the performance of their networks, and eliminate a large amount of the complexity associated with Ethernet backhaul service assurance. Additionally, WSPs can realize substantial OPEX and CAPEX savings through the consolidation of existing silo-oriented monitoring tools and improved collaboration between user groups. With high-quality Carrier Ethernet performance assurance, WSPs can turn the transport technology's complexity into their most competitive advantage.
