There are several alternative backhaul methods.
T1/E1 which uses copper telephone lines is the most common means of cellular backhaul. While the number of copper lines already in deployment is very high and the technology mature enough to ensure relatively low service costs, T1/E1 has limited bandwidth of only 1.44 Mbps. A cellular base-station can have several copper T1/E1 lines connected to it, but as traffic capacity increases – due to added number of consumers and the proliferation of bandwidth demanding services – copper lines are gradually being replaced with higher-capacity technologies.
Fiber optics are also be used for backhauling. Fiber provides virtually unlimited bandwidth capacity – where it is available. However, deploying new fiber is an expensive endeavor. Bringing fiber to areas that are out of fiber reach, for example: Greenfield deployments as well as many of the world’s cellular base-stations, is cost prohibitive and leads Carriers to opt for more cost efficient solutions.
WiMAX, or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, was also considered for backhaul applications. However, Using WiMAX in the backhaul is not an efficient use of scarce and valuable spectrum. WiMAX may be considered for cellular backhaul in markets where carriers have WiMAX spectrum that is not being used for WiMAX access networks.
Microwave backhaul solutions – such as those offered by Ceragon – are therefore ideal for new and established carriers helping to increase network capacity while reducing backhaul expenditure. | 
