Vodafone Portugal takes sustainability stride with Ericsson energy-saving radio upgrade
- Vodafone Portugal is the first service provider globally to deploy Ericsson's triple-band Radio 4485, with live implementation in the 5G commercial network in early February.
- Based on equipment specifications, the radio will deliver substantial energy savings in Vodafone Portugal’s nationwide 5G network, while also boosting network capacity and performance.
- Through the implementation of initiatives such as these, Vodafone Portugal is making contributions to improving energy performance and optimizing resource consumption.
Vodafone has joined forces with Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) to deploy the company’s leading energy-efficient Radio 4485 for the first time globally in Portugal as part of its advanced 5G network. This triple band radio reduces energy consumption by more than 20 percent compared to typical deployments in Vodafone networks for 1800MHz, 2100MHz and 2600MHz, allowing Vodafone Portugal to improve both energy performance and network capacity.
Ericsson’s sustainability approach is not limited to the function of the radios but stretches throughout the value chain. The radio’s embodied carbon emissions, a measurement of the greenhouse gases released before the product is deployed, is shown to be 50 percent less than comparable products. Additionally, the radio’s 50 percent lighter footprint will help reduce Vodafone Portugal’s maintenance costs and simplify the 5G site upgrade process.
The implementation of this cutting-edge radio not only contributes to achieving net zero emissions across Vodafone Portugal’s value chain by 2040, but also sets the stage for the widespread deployment of similar technology throughout the country, enhancing the capacity, performance, and coverage of its nationwide 5G network.
Paulino Corrêa, Network Director of Vodafone Portugal, says: “As part of Vodafone Portugal commitments to operate ethically and sustainably, we continuously search for innovative solutions and embed them in our strategy and operations. This partnership with Ericsson and specifically this energy saving solution is completely aligned with our purpose, reducing environmental impact and helping decarbonize society, while leveraging on the 5G implementation across the country.”
Juan Olivera, head of Ericsson Portugal, says: "Vodafone Portugal and Ericsson have a long-standing partnership going back to 1992 with the deployment of 2G in the country. Today, we are taking the next step with a world-first deployment that is rooted in Vodafone’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, leveraging Ericsson’s unique hardware and software co-design to deliver substantial carbon emissions reductions throughout their value chain.”