How 5G RAN Can Achieve Sustainability

The mobile telecommunications industry is facing a pressing challenge, building a future that's both technologically advanced and environmentally responsible. At the recent MWC 2024 Barcelona Congress, a beacon of hope emerged – a transformative approach that merges innovation with sustainability. Mobile network operators (MNOs) and vendors are setting ambitious goals for the coming decades, aiming for significant carbon footprint reduction and ultimately achieving net zero emissions.?

The key to a greener future lies in tackling the energy consumption of mobile networks. Running these networks requires a significant amount of power, and the source of that power also impacts the overall carbon footprint. While 5G boasts superior energy efficiency compared to 4G, the total power consumption of a 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) is actually higher. This is due to the ever-increasing demand for data and the need for denser networks to support the Internet of Things (IoT).?

According to GSMA Intelligence , a staggering 87% of the power consumed by a 5G network in developed countries goes to the RAN.??

Source: Report - Going green: benchmarking the energy efficiency of mobile networks (second edition) ?

This highlights the energy intensity of tasks like providing widespread coverage, converting energy into radio waves, and processing incoming signals. Reports also show that data centers and core networks account for only 12% of the energy consumption, with operations using a mere 1%.?

Similar findings were published by Nokia Bell Labs in a whitepaper , pinpointing the RAN as the major culprit for energy use.

Source: Whitepaper on Energy efficiency in next-generation mobile networks ?

Their research indicates that the RAN consumes a whopping 73% of the total network energy, with the mobile core network and data centers accounting for just 13% and 9%, respectively. It's important to note that these figures can vary depending on operator configurations and equipment, with the RAN's share typically falling between 70% and 85% of total network consumption. Within the RAN itself, the power amplifier and digital front end in the radio unit are key contributors to overall energy use.?

Since the RAN is the undeniable energy guzzler of the mobile network, it's clear that significant progress toward sustainability and profitability hinges on minimizing its energy consumption. This makes the RAN the prime target for energy-saving measures, which we'll explore in more detail in the following sections.?

How can 5G RAN be designed to be more sustainable??

Designing a sustainable 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) involves a multi-faceted approach. Here's a breakdown of key strategies:?

Network Efficiency at the Core:?

• Hardware Innovation: Implementing green technologies such as renewable energy sources, development and utilization of energy-efficient chips and components specifically designed for 5G with lower power consumption. This can help reduce the environmental impact of 5G RAN operations.?
• Software Optimization: Implement features like sleep modes that allow base stations to enter low-power states during periods of low traffic. This ensures energy is used only when needed.?
• AI-powered Management: Leverage artificial intelligence (AI) for network traffic prediction. AI can then optimize power adjustments based on real-time demands, minimizing energy waste without compromising performance.?
• Innovative Solutions: Implementing innovative solutions like liquid cooling stations that use wasted energy to heat buildings and water can significantly reduce energy use and carbon emissions associated with 5G RAN.?

Optimizing Network Infrastructure:?

• Centralized Architecture: Deploy Centralized RAN (C-RAN) which centralizes processing units. This enables efficient power distribution and reduces overall energy consumption compared to traditional distributed RAN architectures.?
• Smart Antenna Technologies: Utilize massive MIMO (Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output) antenna systems. These precisely direct radio signals, minimizing wasted energy and maximizing network efficiency.?
• Renewable Energy Integration: Power cell sites with renewable sources like solar or wind power. This reduces reliance on the traditional grid and lowers the carbon footprint of the RAN.?

Sustainable Practices Throughout the Lifecycle:?

• Sustainable Materials: Focus on using eco-friendly materials in RAN equipment and prioritize responsible sourcing practices to minimize environmental impact throughout the supply chain.?
• Energy-efficient Manufacturing: Implement energy-saving processes during the manufacturing of RAN equipment to reduce the environmental impact even before deployment.?
• End-of-Life (EOL) Management: Establish responsible recycling programs for decommissioned RAN equipment. This minimizes environmental impact by diverting waste from landfills and recovering valuable materials.?

Collaboration for Broader Impact:?

No single entity can achieve true sustainability in 5G RAN operations. The key lies in collaboration. Mobile network operators (MNOs) must join forces with technology partners, industry stakeholders, and even regulatory bodies. Together, they can drive impactful sustainability initiatives and implement best practices that will have a lasting effect.?

This collaborative approach fosters knowledge sharing, accelerates innovation in energy-saving technologies, and ensures all parties are working towards the same goal: a greener 5G future.?

• Standardization: Encourage industry-wide adoption of energy-efficient protocols and technologies for 5G RAN through collaborative efforts. This ensures consistency and promotes widespread sustainable practices.?
• Sharing best practices: Facilitate knowledge sharing between network operators and equipment manufacturers. This continuous improvement in sustainability practices benefits the entire industry.?
• Investment in R&D: Support ongoing research and development (R&D) to develop even more sustainable solutions for future generations of RAN technology. This ensures long-term environmental benefits as 5G continues to evolve.?

vRAN: A key to reducing energy use in mobile networks.?

vRAN (virtualized RAN) replaces traditional hardware-based base stations with software-driven network functions. This flexibility reduces processing and transmit power, leading to energy savings.?

vRAN offers several advantages that can contribute to a more sustainable 5G network:?

Hardware Efficiency:?

• Reduced Physical Footprint: vRAN replaces dedicated hardware with software running on general-purpose servers. This eliminates the need for multiple pieces of specialized equipment at each cell site, reducing overall energy consumption associated with powering and cooling physical hardware.?
• Resource Sharing and Flexibility: vRAN allows for sharing resources like processors and memory across multiple virtual base stations. This eliminates the need for each base station to have its own dedicated hardware, leading to more efficient utilization and potentially lower overall power consumption.?

Software-driven Optimization:?

• Dynamic Power Management: vRAN software can be designed to dynamically adjust power consumption based on real-time network traffic. During low traffic periods, the software can put virtual base stations into sleep mode, further reducing energy use.?
• Network Slicing for Targeted Efficiency: vRAN facilitates network slicing, which allows the creation of virtual networks tailored for specific applications. These virtual networks can be optimized for lower power consumption based on their specific use case.?

Centralized Management and AI Integration:?

• Centralized Control and Monitoring: vRAN enables centralized management and monitoring of the network. This allows for better optimization of resources and power consumption across the entire network from a central location.?
• AI-powered Optimization: AI can be integrated into the vRAN software to analyze network traffic patterns and optimize power consumption across the network in real-time. This can lead to more efficient resource allocation and reduced energy waste.?

However, it's important to consider these points:?

• Virtualization Overhead: While vRAN reduces physical hardware, the servers running the virtual base stations still consume power. Optimizing server efficiency and utilizing renewable energy sources are crucial.?
• Performance Considerations: Early vRAN implementations might have faced challenges in achieving the same level of performance as traditional RAN in terms of latency and capacity. However, ongoing development is addressing these issues.?

Viewpoints from the Telecom leaders

It's crucial to grasp the insights shared by the leaders of various telecom companies during industry events.?

At a TelecomTV discussion during the DSP Leaders World Forum and The Green Network Summit, industry leaders agreed on several key ways to make networks more sustainable.?

• Deutsche Telekom 's Ahmed Hafez suggested that reducing unnecessary energy use, using AI to optimize networks, replacing old equipment, and working with other companies in the industry.
• Daniel Piechocki from Orange Polska emphasized the programs led by CEOs with clear goals for reducing carbon emissions. These goals should be linked to bonuses and encourage collaboration across departments.
• Francesca Serravalle of Vodafone UK highlighted the potential of cloud-based networks, modernizing infrastructure, AI management, and designing with customers in mind to keep energy use low even as 5G expands.
• Jan Berglund of Comba Telecom Network Systems agreed that using AI for network efficiency, updating equipment, and accurately predicting demand is crucial for building environmentally friendly networks.

In conclusion,?

The future of mobile communication hinges on a delicate balance between technological advancement and environmental responsibility. By prioritizing energy-efficient solutions across the entire 5G RAN lifecycle, from hardware design to network management, the industry can achieve significant carbon footprint reduction and pave the way for a greener future. Collaborative efforts between MNOs, vendors, and regulatory bodies are crucial for driving innovation, establishing best practices, and ensuring widespread adoption of sustainable technologies. In my opinion, as 5G continues to evolve, ongoing investment in R&D & collaborations will be essential for developing even more eco-friendly solutions that contribute to a sustainable digital world.?

Ahmed Hafez Daniel Piechocki Francesca Serravalle Jan Berglund