Core network energy efficiency

Break the energy curve with advanced core network capabilities

Build an energy-efficient core network

Secure energy efficiency while handling exponential traffic growth through a high-performing core network.

Address sustainability while catering for data traffic growth

Energy efficiency and sustainability are at the top of communication service providers’ (CSPs’) agenda – alongside the increased capacity demands required to address the challenge of exponential data traffic growth.

Core networks, cloud infrastructure, and support systems account for approximately 20 percent of the energy consumed in a mobile network. As a result, we are continually enhancing our core network portfolio capabilities to improve energy efficiency while delivering a high-performing 4G and 5G network. As more than 80 percent of the energy consumed in mobile networks comes from radio access networks (RAN), we can continue to reduce this consumption by also introducing innovative features in the core network.

Breaking the energy curve

With the continuing expansion of 5G and the evident benefits of an energy-conscious, future-proof portfolio, it is not sufficient to only focus on reducing energy consumption for mobile network infrastructure. We must also reconsider how we plan, deploy, and operate the mobile networks. We believe it is possible to scale up 5G, while simultaneously aiming to break the energy curve. We have streamlined our approach into three elements, as shown in the illustration.

Learn more about breaking the energy curve: Roll out of 5G without increasing energy consumption

Sustainable network evolution

Network architecture and system design plays a critical role in our ambition to reduce overall energy consumption. Deploy a cloud-native, resource-efficient, dual-mode 5G Core (5GC) network with integrated network functions – resulting in potential savings of up to 20 percent in network resources.

Expand and modernize

Utilize energy efficiency and performance-optimized core network software and cloud infrastructure power management, while leveraging the industry’s most efficient processors. Energy savings can even be achieved without needing to change server hardware in installed base Evolved Packed Core (EPC) and dual-mode 5G Core networks. Achieve an additional 25 percent savings through innovative micro-sleep technology.

Operate intelligently

The amount of signaling requests to a paging cell is a main driver for core network capacity increases. Service providers can use machine learning to define where to do initial paging and then gradually page in a wider area. Reduce signaling traffic through adaptive paging with machine learning, enabling 40 to 60 percent less paging signals and up to 15 percent lower vCPU load.

Explore how our solutions reduce energy consumption in 4G and 5G core networks

Break the energy curve with Ericsson’s core network capabilities

Watch this 4-minute video to get an overview of how Ericsson's advanced core network solution capabilities enable breaking the energy curve in mobile networks.

Deploy a resource efficient core network

Learn how we deploy more resource efficient core network

Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core manages traffic for both 4G and 5G, enabling up to 20 percent savings across control, user, and data layer through dynamic resource allocation and up to 15 percent savings in infrastructure through cloud-native architecture with shared microservices.

Our core network capabilities can reduce energy in RAN

By implementing adaptive video bit rate optimization in the core network and reducing traffic volume in radio access networks, we can save up to 10 percent of energy in 4G and 15 percent in 5G.

Working with partners to solve energy efficiency

To address sustainability and energy efficiency, we must collaborate across the industry to create the most energy-efficient mobile networks. Ericsson works with several technology partners to enable the deployment of the most energy-efficient cloud infrastructure network and core network applications for CSPs. Here are some examples of our partner collaborations.