Huawei has launched 5G-oriented mobile bearer solution X-Haul to support operators' 5G service expansion and help operators build end-to-end 5G networks. According to company, this solution has four core values: providing flexible access capabilities that can match the scenario of any site; implementing agile network operations based on a cloud architecture; enabling new service innovation through end-to-end network slicing; and supporting smooth evolution from 4G bearer networks to 5G bearer networks.

3GPP defined three major 5G application scenarios: enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), and ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communication (uRLLC). These scenarios impose high requirements on bearer network bandwidth, latency, connections, and O&M. Operators are actively promoting service transformation to penetrate emerging service markets such as smart manufacturing and the Internet of Vehicles (IoV). These services require that 5G bearer networks be capable of supporting rapid service deployment and agile operation. At the same time, with the 3G / 4G / 5G multi-service bearer and network scale expansion, the planning and design of bearer networks will face great challenges, which require the bearer networks to be constructed as efficiently as possible, reducing the overall TCO.

To support diverse 5G access methods, the Huawei X-Haul provides an overall solution with full fronthaul and backhaul coverage, implementing flexible access in all scenarios. Flexible networking is implemented through the IP, microwave, and OTN access technologies, enabling unified fronthaul and backhaul bearing whether or not optical cables are used. For backhaul scenarios in areas that have a high population density, Huawei launched the 50GE/100GE adaptive network slicing router, which provides seamless 100GE compatibility even when providing 50GE base station access. For scenarios where optical cables are not used, Huawei launched the 5G-ready microwave solution. Smooth capacity upgrade is supported through the use of a same frequency band or inter-frequency band Carrier Aggregation (CA) technology, which enables any-media 10GE to site. For fronthaul scenarios, Huawei launched the 100G Full-outdoor WDM device, which is deployed at the same site as the base station to save optical cable resources.

In addition, Huawei X-Haul introduces a cloud-based architecture that enables agile operations on 5G bearer networks. The management and control plane implements centralized orchestration through the Network Cloud Engine for various network media such as IP, optical and microwave. The device plane introduces Segment Routing, EVPN and OSP-TE protocols, simplifying bearer device control plane protocols and unifying the service model to implement the whole automated management life cycle of the bearer network. This improves the efficiency of network-wide O&M tenfold.