Saving Power
Sustainability and cost reductions go hand in hand when Bharti Airtel, India, implements Ericsson’s Base Transceiver Station Power Savings
Power consumption represents a large share of the opex for many GSM operators and this was certainly the case for Bharti Airtel. Ericsson’s Base Transceiver Station (BTS) Power Savings reduces the power consumed in the radio access network, resulting in significant opex savings and reduced carbon-dioxide emissions.
Many operators are recognizing that fluctuations in demand mean that full network capacity is not required 24 hours a day. Depending on tariffs or local usage, peaks in demand can occur for six to eight hours but, typically, there are 15 or 16 hours when maximum capacity is not required. By reacting to these changes, operators can improve efficiency in energy consumption and costs.
Bharti Airtel is continuing its expansion into rural areas in India and the cost pressures associated with this expansion have led the operator to evaluate ways to reduce opex. Amendeep Singh, CTO East and West region, Bharti Airtel, India, explains why Bharti Airtel chose to implement BTS Power Savings: "For the quieter hours in the day, we don’t need all the capacity available in the network. By keeping that capacity on, we are wasting energy and, of course, incurring cost. We want to optimize our network capacity so that it is made available on demand, and, when the demand subsides, available capacity should be adjusted automatically." When targeting the low income segment and high growth markets, lower energy consumption is vital for continuous expansion, so this Ericsson solution is perfect for Bharti Airtel.
Ericsson’s BTS Power Savings feature is compatible with all previously installed Ericsson GSM radio base stations and is proven to manage capacity, enabling operators to reduce opex without jeopardizing network quality. During periods of low network traffic, the feature effectively puts those parts of the network that are not being used into standby mode, saving energy. Thomas Johansson, Strategic Product Manager, GSM RAN, Ericsson, elaborates: "Depending on the network traffic pattern, this innovation can save between 15 and 25 percent of the energy consumed per BTS when a base station is in use, while still providing the same services and quality to end users."
Bharti Airtel will implement Ericsson’s BTS Power Savings at each rural site and then eventually introduce the feature in towns and cities. As the solution is rolled out, Bharti Airtel will improve its competitive position and capacity for growth and, as energy costs continue to rise, savings will increase year on year. With Ericsson as a trusted partner, Bharti Airtel also benefits from economies of scale and worldwide expertise. Amendeep Singh reflects: "Ericsson’s global experience helps our local teams to replicate the best services available elsewhere in India, so we maintain the competitive edge in the local market."
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