In the last few months, Ericsson and Telefónica have carried out joint test pilots on energy efficiency features in a bid to break the energy curve. The pilots, which have taken place in Spain and Brazil, have been initiated with a strong focus on achieving maximum sustainability and energy efficiency when evolving towards 5G networks. The test pilots show that the 5G technology is up to 90% more efficient than 4G in terms of energy consumption per unit of traffic (W/Mbps).
Breaking the energy curve
Can we deploy 5G and break the increasing energy consumption curve of mobile networks? The short answer is yes, but it all depends on our ways of working; to think smarter and in a more strategic way.
In Spain, the focus of the joint test pilot has been on energy efficiency features for Radio Access in several clusters, which included Talavera 5G City, where 5G non-standalone (NSA) is being trialed using Ericsson’s 5G equipment. These tests have provided excellent results which reach up to 23 percent energy savings in these network clusters. Based on these results, the energy efficiency features have been generally deployed in Telefónica Spain’s commercial network.
In Brazil, Ericsson and Telefónica have run a separate pilot for software-based energy saving within the São Paulo area. The intention here has been to evaluate the impact of deploying 5G M-MIMO in mid-band in their Ericsson radio sites. In this pilot, Ericsson 5G, using Ericsson Radio System (ERS), has proven to consume 10% the power of the equivalent 4G (measured in watts per Mbps).
Together with the Radio System software—aimed at delivering optimal performance on the smallest site footprint with the lowest energy consumption—the modernization of Telefónica’s mobile networks, in several countries using ERS, is also allowing Telefonica to achieve hardware-related savings with radio systems that are, from day one, ready for 5G. In our sustainability strategy, we have set a target of 35 percent energy saving in ERS by 2022, a target that has been approved by Science Based Target initiative (SBTi).
Juan Manuel Caro, Director of Operational Transformation at Global CTIO at Telefónica, said: “At Telefónica, we are aware of the urgency to reduce carbon emissions and we have ambitious commitments validated according to the 1.5ºC scenario by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This collaboration with Ericsson is helping to build an energy efficient 5G by design and to achieve our energy and climate change goals.”
Combining expertise to achieve network energy efficiency
In a long-standing relationship between Ericsson and Telefónica, we are continuously making strides in sustainability in our collaborations by sharing network-based energy efficiency best practices and running joint initiatives. Sustainability and energy saving are key pillars in both our strategies, and in this case, the savings capability enables Telefónica to remain in a competitive leadership position in its key markets in Europe and Latin America.
This collaborative activity builds on our global collaboration framework in the area of sustainability and radio access network, which recognize the strengths and capabilities within one another’s expertise. As we keep moving forward with future trials and technology breakthroughs, we aim to take full advantage of our leading 5G portfolio as a way to make a purposeful and tangible impact.
Ericsson’s innovative approach to sustainability and energy efficiency
Ericsson research tells us that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions can enable a reduction of global carbon emissions by up to 15 percent by 2030. We are in a unique position to enable key industrial sectors to achieve a low-carbon economy and meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
To give an idea of our progress, between 2011 and 2017, Ericsson reduced carbon emissions by 48 percent, within our its activities. Currently, within our Science Based Targets for own activities we have reduced 24% since the 2016 baseline. Furthermore, in 2019, we set a company carbon neutral target whereby carbon emissions from our fleet vehicles and energy usage from our facilities will aim to be net-zero by 2030.
We understand that there is concern around increasing energy consumption with the launch of 5G. But we want our customers to know that breaking the curve is a possibility. And the time to act is now. For us, breaking the curve is about taking a complete network approach, but prior to this, it’s essential to prepare the network by modernizing sites to make more room in the areas where there will be more traffic growth. By using the right equipment for the right traffic situation, networks can be operated more intelligently. Our solutions help to build 5G with precision, which will also provide significant cost savings across the network. There are massive savings by turning on energy saving softwares, and our energy-saving features and functionalities have demonstrated this. For example, features such as Micro Sleep Tx and the Low Energy Scheduler Solution can reduce radio equipment energy consumption by up to 15 percent while maintaining the same user experience.
Read more about our approach to sustainability and energy efficiency
Download our full report: Breaking the energy curve
Read our blog: Why we need a new approach to network energy efficiency
Listen to our podcast: Breaking the energy curve: from vision to reality
