Transport evolution for the RAN of the future [Invited]

Fifth-generation (5G) systems will introduce several new requirements impacting the mobile transport network. Understanding the impact of 5G systems on trans­port networks, both wireless and fixed, is essential to the successful introduction of 5G. This paper provides an over­view of the ongoing work supporting the specification of open interfaces between the different 5G building blocks. It also presents several technologies that can facilitate ef­fective transport networks, describes the architectural challenges in designing flexible 5G transport networks, and provides dimensioning guidelines.