  The ongoing efforts in the research development and standardization of 5G, by
both industry and academia, have resulted in the identification of enablers
(Software Defined Networks, Network Function Virtualization, Distributed
Mobility Management, etc.) and critical areas (Mobility management,
Interference management, Joint access-backhaul mechanisms, etc.) that will help
achieve the 5G objectives. During these efforts, it has also been identified
that the 5G networks due to their high degree of heterogeneity, high QoS demand
and the inevitable density (both in terms of access points and users), will
need to have efficient joint backhaul and access mechanisms as well as enhanced
mobility management mechanisms in order to be effective, efficient and
ubiquitous. Therefore, in this paper we first provide a discussion on the
evolution of the backhaul scenario, and the necessity for joint access and
backhaul optimization. Subsequently, and since mobility management mechanisms
can entail the availability, reliability and heterogeneity of the future
backhaul/fronthaul networks as parameters in determining the most optimal
solution for a given context, a study with regards to the effect of future
backhaul/fronthaul scenarios on the design and implementation of mobility
management solutions in 5G networks has been performed.
