MPLS-TP provides end-to-end, connection-oriented packet transport
pipes created on the network management system
                                       
With the fast growth of mobile broadband services, mobile operators are stepping into an era where HSPA+ and LTE networks will be quickly rolled out, and they are increasingly favouring packetbased bearer networks during their HSPA+ and LTE trials. Conventional transport technologies like SDH and MSTP can efficiently carry TDM services by leveraging their prominent features such as easy deployment and fault location, high reliability, and good clock synchronisation. Nevertheless, these technologies still have limitations and cannot accommodate fast-growing data services. Therefore, how to address the fast-growing data services while maintaining the advantages of traditional bearer technologies and how to promote smooth evolution of mobile backhaul networks have become hot topics in the industry. 
                                  
                                  
MPLS-TP: technology that enables mobile backhaul networks to evolve towards packet-based networks 
                                  
MPLS-TP is a connection-oriented packet transport technology that consists of the data plane, management plane, and control plane. It provides endto- end (E2E) connection-oriented packet transport pipes created on the network management system (NMS) or the intelligent control plane, which feature satisfactory operation and maintenance performance and protection/restoration performance. In addition, MPLS-TP simplifies and optimises MPLS and MPLS/PW technologies and also introduces new layered OAM, linear protection, and ring protection ideas. MPLS-TP is built on the advantages of traditional bearer technologies while overcoming the drawbacks of traditional SDH and MSTP technologies on carrying large-size packet services. It is a typical mainstream packet transport technology that future-proofs mobile backhaul networks to packet-based networks. Up until now, MPLS-TP has attracted wide attention and investment from the industry. Over the past one year of efforts, MPLS-TP standardisation has progressed quickly and is growing mature gradually. By the end of 2011, the first draft of the MPLS-TP standard will be completed. This then will remove the last barrier before massive commercial use of MPLS-TP. 
                                  
                                  
Hybrid solution: first choice for the MPLS-TP evolution 
                                 
TDM services are cash flow for traditional mobile operators who have gained rich experience in the management and maintenance of traditional SDH networks. Therefore, traditional services must be considered in the future deployment of HSPA+ and LTE networks that will co-exist with GSM and UMTS for a long period of time. A mature hybrid solution can be a good choice. The hybrid solution carries services simultaneously on both TDM and packet planes. This ensures the smooth evolution from SDH networks to packetbased networks and protects the investment in the original SDH networks. In this solution, two planes are interconnected using the innovative bridging technology for unified management of TDM and packet planes. 
                                  
                                  
The first E2E MPLS-TP-based hybrid transport solution 
                                  
In May of 2011, Huawei announced the first E2E MPLS-TP based hybrid optical and microwave solution at the TNMO Forum held in London, UK, marking a key milestone in MPLS-TP development. The hybrid transport solution is media-independent and supports both optical transport and microwave transport for mobile backhaul networks, so that traditional TDM services can be transported in an E2E, high-quality manner and operators also can confidently cope with ever-increasing packet service demands. This solution provides traditional mobile operators with a complete and feasible approach to smoothly evolve their bearer networks to support LTE networks. GTB