Network Connectivity Resilience in Next Generation Backhaul Networks: Challenges and Future Opportunities

Next generation cellular networks are expected to enable a wide range of new applications, increasing societal dependence on the network infrastructure and requiring a higher level of resilience than current networks. In this paper, we consider the challenges network operators face in providing end-to-end connections across the backhaul part of the cellular network in the face of equipment failures and power outages. In particular, we discuss the impact of the move to commodity hardware, disaggregation of the radio access network, edge computing, densification of the network, and the increased electric power requirements on resilience. Techniques and research directions for overcoming the challenges are presented. This includes thinking beyond methods for a single network operator including cooperative operator techniques and extending resilient overlays to the wireless edge.