The lines between fronthaul and backhaul are blurring (Ericsson already talks about midhaul), and so are those between access and backhaul (multihaul is another buzz term). Using the same links for multiple purposes as required, and applying interoperable self-optimization across every link in the network chain, is a goal of 5G, as showcased in the 5G-Crosshaul project, one of the many activities under the EU-funded 5G PPP umbrella. The project has 21 participants, including Orange, Telecom Italia, Telefonica, Ericsson, Nokia and NEC. It aims to develop a system of flexible and unified management for 5G networks, integrating fronthaul, backhaul and access. A demonstration was recently held at the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute in Berlin using, among other elements, InterDigital’s EdgeLink…