The telecom industry accounts for almost 1.5 percent of global electricity use, according to the International Energy Agency. But it has room for improvement, according to Nokia, because only 15 percent of mobile network energy is consumed by data transfer, meaning 85 percent is wasted. Nokia held a webinar yesterday on how communications service providers (CSP) can be more efficient and reduce their network energy usage.
“Sustainability is top of mind for operators today,” said Stephanie Gibbons, Marketing Strategist at Nokia. “So to help address power usage issues, CSPs are introducing more power efficient equipment into their network, while retiring legacy infrastructure.”
The largest savings opportunity, however, may come from integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the network across all domains, according to Gibbons. Nokia is using AI to help its operator customers address their sustainability targets, she added.
Nokia said using AI-driven energy efficiency software shrinks the carbon footprint of telco networks and reduces energy costs up to 35 percent without harming performance or end customer experience. Up to 70 percent of energy savings for cooling can be achieved through AI. In addition, energy savings results from automated remote control of the antenna angle; and energy savings can be achieved compared to strict rules-based energy management.
“The reality is that CSPs need to improve network energy efficiency – sooner than later. They’re being pressured to reduce costs and to meet growing sustainability demands,” Nokia said.
Nokia Announces Plan to be ESG Leader
Nokia announced its plan to be the leader in energy efficiency building on its silicon, software, and systems last week, taking advantage of opportunities to optimize across the network with energy orchestration and green operations. The OEM said it is already working to improve energy efficiency in 5G-Advanced and 6G through early engagement in standardization and ecosystem development.
Energy efficiency is part of Nokia’s plan to integrate its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy into its business and technology strategies, focusing on the areas with the greatest impact. The OEM wants to make sure sustainability is a fundamental part of how it develops technology and makes business decisions, according to Nicole Robertson, VP, ESG at Nokia.
“The line between purpose and profit is dissolving and companies are looking to identify the best ESG strategies to deliver measurable impact to societal challenges and drive value creation,” Robertson said.
The ESG strategy has five strategic focus areas: Environment – focusing on both climate and circularity; Industrial Digitalization; Security & Privacy; Bridging the Digital Divide; and Responsible Business. Nokia’s enhanced ESG strategy has been developed across the company using its portfolio strengths, as well as Bell Labs’ research, to accelerate its positive impact, create new value opportunities for its customers, and deliver sustainable value creation for shareholders.
“At Nokia we believe we have a unique opportunity to address some of the world’s biggest challenges where connectivity and digitalization will play a critical role. With this strategy we look to maximize our impact, working together with our customers and stakeholders,” Robertson said.
By J. Sharpe Smith, Inside Tower Technology Editor
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