New Network Roadmap Unveils 16 Energy-Efficient Radio Techniques

The Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGMN) has recently unveiled a comprehensive roadmap aimed at reducing energy consumption in mobile networks. This initiative is set to have a significant impact on system architectures, next-generation device design, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

The Green Future Networks Roadmap to Energy Efficient Radio Networks, developed by NGMN, outlines 16 distinct energy-saving techniques and intelligent approaches that are either currently in use or under development within the industry. Real-world data is provided to support these strategies, along with insights into the potential for AI to enhance energy efficiency in the upcoming 3GPP specifications.

One key aspect highlighted in the roadmap is the potential for energy consumption reduction through process optimizations, engineering enhancements, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies in chip designs. These measures are crucial in addressing the growing demand for energy-efficient mobile networks.

Measuring the energy efficiency of Radio Access Networks (RAN) is identified as a critical component of the process. The roadmap explores two distinct approaches for evaluating Base Station (BS) equipment in laboratory settings: static measurement procedures for power consumption and dynamic measurements. Each method plays a vital role in testing modern equipment that can be utilized in various configurations and contexts.

Furthermore, the roadmap emphasizes the role of AI in estimating and predicting energy consumption to facilitate network energy optimization. While AI presents opportunities for energy savings, it also incurs its own energy costs. As a result, the report recommends that standards organizations define methodologies for transferring and updating AI models at network nodes to control configuration parameters effectively.

Operators are actively exploring innovative hardware and software solutions to support AI-based network modeling and optimization. By integrating intelligent technologies at the software level, networks can dynamically adjust capacity based on real-time traffic loads, leading to significant energy savings without compromising service quality.

In indoor deployments, a novel energy-saving technology is proposed to manage the state of individual radio units (RUs) within a cell. This approach involves dynamically switching off the Power Amplifier (PA) of RUs that are not actively transmitting data, resulting in substantial energy savings compared to traditional always-on network configurations.

The NGMN Alliance, through its Green Future Networks Programme, continues to provide actionable guidance to the industry by leveraging collective expertise and offering clear recommendations. Industry leaders, such as Arash Ashouriha from Deutsche Telekom and Laurent Leboucher from Orange, stress the importance of collaboration and innovation in achieving energy efficiency goals while maintaining service excellence.

Mobile network operators are encouraged to collaborate on sharing infrastructure and optimizing network resources to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. The roadmap also calls for enhanced coordination between standards development organizations and energy suppliers to minimize environmental impact and operational costs while ensuring service reliability.

As the mobile industry strives to balance energy reduction, renewable energy adoption, and service quality delivery, initiatives like the energy-efficient radio network roadmap play a crucial role in shaping the future of sustainable mobile networks. The commitment of industry leaders, including Luke Ibbetson from Vodafone, underscores the collective effort required to drive meaningful change in the sector.

To access the full energy-efficient radio network roadmap, visit NGMN's official website.

For more information, please visit www.ngmn.org.