Energy consumption and network efficiency has always been an important topic for Communication Service Providers (CSP). It is a very challenging task to maximize energy efficiency while maintaining good network service quality, as business and network traffic continue to grow. The project is aimed to define a holistic approach and model, called the “GRPE” framework, for helping CSPs to guide their green initiatives and network evolution. In addition, 4 different CSPs will then develop and share their innovative solutions and demonstrate their effort on tackling this challenge task.
The CSP members, which are China Mobile, Hong Kong Telecom, STC and Telkom Openserve, comes from different regions including Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, covering both fixed and mobile networks, are working together to define the “GRPE” framework and solutions.
The “GRPE” framework, which stands for “Green Realisation, Planning, Execution”, has 3 major components:
- Green Realization: Using value streams and the green network assessment model to identify value and capability gaps
- Green Planning: Design the indexes and green solutions to fulfill value and capability gaps
- Green Execution: Develop, deploy and operate the green solutions, and to measure the indexes and solution results.
The innovative solutions developed by the CSPs:
- China Mobile: Using latest technologies including 5G-A, Open API, AI-Powered Network Planning to develop a clean energy society in China. This evolution covers a wide spectrum of society from network users (Shanghai), to building occupants (Shenzhen) to city citizens (Xiong’An).
- Hong Kong Telecom: Using the Green platform and Open API to model and integrate different data sources to support network site modernization and different vertical applications including unmanned drones for building inspections and emergency medical services (EMS).
- STC: AI-based network planning and engineering for conducting the biggest-ever network expansion in Saudi Arabia while committing to net-zero by 2060. Solution capabilities include multi-dimensional network insight, service traffic identification and service cut-over orchestration.
- Telkom Openserve: Using the AI-based energy management system to conquer energy shortage for fixed network in South Africa. The system determines the best possible balance use of diesel, battery and grid energy based on network data, weather and loadshedding data.