Summary
1. The previous analysis to the source article does acknowledge that fiber is the best means of carrying large capacity in the backhaul. 2. However, the cost stated for deployment is by and large way too high. 3. Fiber will increasingly become a necessity in the backhaul for wireless carriers.
Analysis
It is true that it is relatively recent that large wireless carriers in the U.S. have started to plan in a big way for fiber in the backhaul. In moving to 4G, there is no other choice.
The figure of $100/foot for fiber optics that was stated in the piece is in general way too high. Verizon would do fiber to the casket, if it believed it could sell something. In addition, we are not talking about going up the middle of Charles Street in downtown Baltimore. For at least AT&T and Verizon, it is mainly about tying cell sites into existing fiber optics that are running some place nearby. To whatever extent WiMAX is deployed, fiber will come into play for backhaul as well.
One also needs to appreciate the long-term strategic importance of Verizon ultimately tying its LTE network with FiOS. It would be hard to believe if the carrier would even consider putting this goal at risk by not providing sufficient backhaul capacity.
