By Ibiyemi Mathew
The new edition of Ericsson’s Breaking the Energy Curve Report has offered means on how communications service providers (CSPs) can better deploy 5G in an energy-efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective way.
5G has been deployed globally in more than 200 networks since the previous edition of the report. The updated report outlines three steps on how to scale up 5G with sustainability top-of-mind and reduce the total network energy consumption by challenging the traditional industry approach.
When the report was examined, the report made recommendations of taking a holistic view of network evolution, expansion and operation to break the upward trajectory of energy consumption of mobile networks. This approach will also help address the challenge of exponential data traffic growth.
It also provides guidelines on how to be more energy-efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective while extending the reach and benefits of 5G with new and advanced use cases, thus helping CSPs achieve the overall goal of Net Zero state by 2050.
Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Area Networks, Ericsson, said, “As global deployments of 5G connectivity continue, the benefits of an energy-conscious, future-proof portfolio are becoming more evident. However, it is also clear that the major energy consumption savings such a portfolio delivers across the network can also be strengthened by other actions.”
He added, “We cannot continue with a ‘business as usual’ approach. We should take advantage of wider network changes and modernization as opposed to piecemeal swap-outs. We must utilize the latest advances in technology to enable energy-saving functionalities and consider the best use of our energy sources. To put it simply, we need to think differently.”
In the 2020 first edition of the report, Ericsson estimated the annual global energy cost for running mobile networks at about USD 25 billion. With subsequent global economic challenges, punctuated by the energy crisis and surging inflation, that number is now expected to rise.
These developments further focus the need for CSPs to be even more efficient and sustainable in running their networks. Ericsson’s updated ‘On the Road to Breaking the Energy Curve’ report aims to support CSPs towards the attainment of these goals.