The on-going explosion in mobile broadband traffic arising from data services, including video, is forcing mobile network operators (MNOs) to enhance and evolve their network architectures to support more capacity and better coverage. At the same time, MNOs need to manage network resources more efficiently and proactively. Driven by the need for improved RAN performance, better scalability, lower costs and the need to prepare for 5G, MNOs are turning to centralized and cloud RAN (C-RAN) architectures that separate the baseband unit (BBU)/centralized units (CU) from the remote radio heads (RRHs)/radio units (RU). This requires a high-performance fronthaul network able to transport today’s Common Public Radio Interface/Open Base Station Architecture Initiative (CPRI/OBSAI) protocols between the RAN components while being future ready to support Next Generation Fronthaul Interfaces (NGFI), such as eCPRI and Radio over Ethernet (RoE). This paper examines the evolution to the C-RAN architecture and the options available for fronthaul transport. The Nokia Optical Anyhaul solution is described and its benefits are outlined.