Microwave Transmission 
& Mobile Backhaul

Wireless backhaul technology is a cornerstone in networks. Without it, voice and data connections would, at times, take years to be enabled, as multiple organizations work to coordinate and obtain rights to dig trenches to lay fiber. In some cases, the business case to roll out fiber never passes approval, and the wait for fiber takes even longer. This is one of many reasons why Microwave Transmission systems continue to be purchased and installed by operators and enterprises worldwide.

Research scope

The largest application for Microwave Transmission is mobile backhaul, which drives market dynamics including technology adoption, vendor share, and pricing. Dell’Oro Group studies the mobile backhaul market from the perspective of fiber/copper versus wireless and examines point-to-point microwave technologies, system configurations, applications, capacity requirements, and regional deployment trends.

The research also tracks how mobile network evolution, including 5G and 5G Advanced, influences demand for Microwave Transmission and higher-capacity technologies such as E/V Band systems.

Why it matters

As mobile networks expand and capacity requirements increase, operators must determine where fiber is economically and operationally viable and where wireless backhaul remains the better option. These decisions directly affect network deployment timelines, infrastructure costs, and demand for microwave equipment.

Understanding how these investment patterns are changing helps component manufacturers, equipment vendors, service providers, and financial institutions anticipate market opportunities, technology transitions, and future infrastructure demand.

Critical questions

We strive to answer critical business questions, including:

◼ 01
How quickly will the Mobile Backhaul market grow, and what events will influence its growth?
◼ 02
What is the demand for Fiber/Copper versus Wireless in Macro Cells and Small Cells?
◼ 03
What is the future demand for the various types of microwave transmission systems—TDM Microwave, Packet Microwave, and Hybrid Microwave?
◼ 04
What is the market potential for E-band systems?
◼ 05
Which vendors lead the equipment market?
◼ 06
What are the pricing trends of microwave equipment?

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Report Coverage

◼ Quarterly Reports
  • Market Metrics: Manufacturer revenue, radio transceiver shipments, average selling prices, and vendor market share
  • Microwave Technologies: TDM Microwave, Packet Microwave, and Hybrid Microwave
  • Applications: Mobile Backhaul and Verticals
  • System Configurations: Split Mount, Full Indoor Units (FIDU), and Full Outdoor Units (FODU)
  • High-Capacity Systems: E/V Band and FODU High Capacity
  • Port Shipments by Speed: T1/E1 Equivalent, Ethernet 100 Mbps, Ethernet 1 Gbps, and Ethernet 10 Gbps
  • Vendor Tracking: By system configuration and application
  • Regional Coverage: North America, EMEA, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia Pacific, India, and CALA
◼ 5-Year Forecasts
  • Market Forecasts: Five-year revenue, radio transceiver shipments, average selling prices, and regional forecasts, supported by historical data dating back to 2009
  • Mobile Backhaul Transport: Fiber/Copper and Wireless technologies, including point-to-point and point-to-multipoint wireless systems
  • Mobile Backhaul: Macro Cell and Small Cell deployments
  • Microwave Technologies: TDM Microwave, Packet Microwave, and Hybrid Microwave
  • Applications: Mobile Backhaul and Verticals
  • System Configurations: Split Mount, Full Indoor Units (FIDU), and Full Outdoor Units (FODU)
  • High-Capacity Systems: E/V Band and FODU High Capacity
  • xHaul: Mobile Backhaul, Mobile Fronthaul, and 5G Backhaul

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