Heterogeneous small-cell networks (HetNets) are considered as one of the key architectural enablers to the challenging demands such as high spectral and energy efficiency of 5G mobile networks. Although the small-cell concept has been articulated and studied for many years within the 4G LTE framework, the concept has never found widespread application mainly due to the cost of deployment. In the conventional wireless networks, the cost of the macro-BS has been a dominant factor. The cost of a small-cell BS, on the other hand, is much lower in comparison to that of a macro-BS; but efficient and satisfactory operation of all these densely deployed small cells hinges on a smart, economical and ubiquitous backhaul/fronthaul networks provisioning ultra-low latency (time to reaction over wireless links), high data rate and high reliability. Such backhaul and fronthaul networks will guarantee the global information and communication requirements in future smart and resilient cities and solve the ubiquitous connectivity. Hence, there are considerable market interests on the development of innovative and smart wireless backhaul/fronthaul solutions for ultra-dense small cells deployed in HetNets.

The workshop will provide an opportunity for exchanging ideas and creating new space for innovative game-changing backhaul/fronthaul solutions to the challenging problems of designing smart backhauling/fronthauling for ultra-dense small cell deployment in HetNet. Proceedings of BackNets 2017 will be a collection of outstanding technical research/position and industrial papers covering novel backhaul/fronthaul solutions and recent research results with wide range of technologies within the 5G frameworks. The workshop keynote speakers and panelists will examine the technical challenges, review the economic feasibility, and discuss possible paths to research and regulatory solutions for future generation of backhaul/fronthaul communications and networking.