Starting in Germany, T-Mobile International will begin using RAD Data Communications as its partner for backhaul in its 3G and high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) network.

The 3G and HSDPA project will extend to other European countries on an unspecified timetable. RAD will support multiple transport options including DSL and metro Ethernet. It also prepares T-Mobile for eventual migration to an all-IP radio access network.

In its strategy papers, RAD cites analysts who have said that because HSDPA delivers up to 14.4 Mb/s per mobile subscriber, cellular operators’ spending on backhaul links will have to double by 2009. At the same time, they have to support TDM mobile backhaul they have adopted a hybrid approach to supporting the two kinds of traffic.

RAD’s ACE-3000 family of cellular backhaul aggregation units are design to do just that. The ACE-3100 cell-site gateway and ACE-3200 cell-site gateway aggregate multiple E1/T1/J1lines to ensure the economical allocation of backhauling resources and the delivery of 2G and 3G services.

Last Wednesday, RAD also announced the acquisition of the assets of LEAD IP Systems, an Israeli start-up and provider of carrier-grade IP telephony access solutions. Founded in 2000, LEAD IP has developed an integrated hardware and software voice-over -IP system, which RAD will incorporate its own portfolio. LEAD IP’s customer base is in Europe.

RAD currently supports more than 150 carriers and has channel partners in 164 countries.