ECI's proposed strategy is based on the understanding that no two networks are alike and would benefit from ECI's diverse technologies and platforms addressing the challenges faced by 2G operators as they migrate from TDM-only aggregation networks to mixed TDM packet-based environments. The solution offers optimal migration with uninterrupted service and high-grade Quality of Service (QoS) expected from legacy networks, while benefiting from the simplicity, scalability and lower costs of Carrier Ethernet. The migration scheme also enables 2G operators to exploit the already deployed infrastructure to the fullest, while making the gradual cost-optimized evolution towards packet based transport.

ECI's proposed evolution strategy addresses the following main challenges:

• Linking associated backhauling costs with the scaling of services and revenues
• Ensuring that the existing infrastructure investments in the network are leveraged to the maximum
• Building a shared network infrastructure to support 2G/2.5G/3G Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), together with 3G IP

This documents outlines ECI's approach for fiber and microwave backhauling infrastructure. Fiber and microwave are widely used in many regions of the world for this purpose.