Perspectives of radio over fibre technologies for Telecom operator

In the case of the increasing bandwidth of any technological solutions in access network (copper, fibre, radio), client demands are leaded by higher bit rate and also by a convergence of telecommunications networks, up to now very separated. Operators have to face constraining deployment issues with wireless systems and at the same time, radio flexibility can allow the acceleration of broadband deployment in rural areas and can offer a solution to an increasing demand of mobility. The convergence of wireless and optical fibre has to be analyzed and in this context, the technologies of radio over fibre can offer to telecom operator interesting and cost efficient solutions. In this paper, we propose to present the telecom operator point of view concerning two specific scenarios: 3G deployment and FTTW (Fiber to the wireless). We also gather the trends of development of radio over fibre technologies which can meet the requirement of future wireless and wired networks.