Backhaul is the transmission link that connects the small cell back into the core network of the mobile service provider. A mix of technologies is used including both wireless and wireline. For residential and most enterprise small cells, the backhaul connection uses existing broadband internet services such as DSL and Cable Internet.

For public access metrocells, specialist products have been developed, including both Non-Line-of-Sight (NLoS), point-to-point and point-to-multipoint solutions.

In remote, typically rural, areas, small cells may be backhauled using satellite links which are becoming more cost effective, even for higher data rates than before.

This section highlights those companies with specific products tailored or adapted for small cell backhaul. These companies are grouped by technology in this small cell wireless backhaul vendor landscape article.