Mobile operators could save an annual $560 million by powering down under-used base stations, according to UK-based mobile software and services specialist Arieso. By Ian Scales.
The company has done some deep-dive analysis of subscriber network traffic data and has come to the conclusion that around 390,000 base stations, globally, could be powered down during quiet night time periods, saving more than 3.5 billion KWh of electrical power, it claims, along with 1.9 million tonnes of CO2 - the equivalent to taking approximately 478,000 cars off the road each year, globally.
Arieso claims that current mobile network management systems and techniques mean that operators have thus far not had access to the data that might provide the optimum shut-down informaton - so enabling them to implement some sort of structured power-saving regime.
Ariesa points out that the opportunity could become greater as operators roll out more capacity as they attempt to keep pace with mobile broadband growth driven by smartphones and tablets.
It says that typical mobile networks are designed to serve peak traffic (voice calls and data sessions) demand. However, in off-peak periods, traffic demand falls significantly, requiring just a fraction of the total available resources. In effect, network capacity provided for peak traffic becomes redundant during quite periods.
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