Adapting operations One of the most significant challenges ahead with AI deployments will be to ensure that AI is deployed responsibly, ethically and with a commitment to sustainability. To achieve operations that are more sustainable, telcos will need to take a multi-faceted approach.
“ Climate action is front of mind for the industry, as we’ ve seen by the commitments of 70 mobile operators with carbon targets aligned to limiting warming to 1.5 ° C,” Steven explains.“ However, the significant challenge remains in addressing Scope 3 emissions, which make up roughly 75 % of the industry’ s total carbon impact.
“ For telcos, adapting operations to address Scope 3 emissions requires enhanced collaboration with all ecosystem partners. This means establishing clear, sustainabilitycentred standards for suppliers, incentivising greener practices across the value chain and holding partners accountable to shared environmental objectives.”
In order to achieve their net zero goals, mobile network operators( MNOs) would benefit from evaluating network designs and operations. This is in addition to adopting smart and sustainable strategies to modernise their systems by drawing on innovations like on-site renewable energy generation and energy storage, or passive cooling systems.
Joe Barry, VP Marketing, Systems & Technology, Cloud & Communications
BU at Analog Devices, explains that many MNOs have started engaging in Power Purchase Agreements( PPAs).“ Operators that establish strong relationships with renewable energy providers will be in a stronger position to hit net zero goals in years to come,” he says.“ Obviously, the transition to renewable energy sources is one way to reduce network energy impact, but they also need to focus on reducing their energy usage.
“ Others are attempting to mitigate their carbon footprint by upgrading to more energy-efficient infrastructure.”
Radio access networks( RAN) are the most energy-intensive part of telecom operations. Reducing energy consumption here is critical, as Joe explains, as 70 % of overall network energy is currently used within the radio unit. Power amplifiers consume more than 50 % of that.
With the explosive growth of data, global RAN energy consumption is expected to grow by 160 %. In this vein, net zero targets will benefit MNOs by reducing the cost of network operations.
“ With Radio Units integrating more technology in system-on-chip designs, ecosystem partnership with semiconductor companies can inform, encourage and support the next generation of more efficient network equipment,” Joe says.
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