Nokia Takes Energy Saving on Mobile Networks to a New Level

Finnish technology firm Nokia, which supplies network kit to a number of UK broadband and mobile operators (EE, O2 etc.), has launched a new power saving mode called “extreme deep sleep” that it estimates could reduce power consumption on their radio kit in mobile networks by a factor of eight.

The new enhancement, which is also referred to as “Zero Traffic, Zero Watt“, utilizes Nokia’s latest generation AirScale radio architecture and Reefshark System-on-Chip (SoC) chipsets. In simple terms, it works by detecting when a mobile network has low traffic and then shutting down key parts of selected radio units’ hardware to save on energy cost.

The solution also leverages software in Nokia’s Habrok radio units, as well as Nokia’s MantaRay energy solution, which optimizes the energy consumption of radio access networks with AI and machine learning. Extreme deep sleep mode goes further than previous deep sleep solutions by disconnecting additional hardware subsystems.

At present the new technology is being rolled out first by Orange in France during the second half of 2024, which it should be able to achieve without impacting performance or customer experience.

Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, said:

“Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Nokia, and we are committed to continuously maximizing the energy efficiency of our technology and AirScale radio access portfolio. This latest achievement with our partner, Orange, is further proof of our efforts to help our customers meet their targets and achieve their sustainability ambitions.”

Electricity costs have become a big challenge in recent years, both for consumers and network operators alike. But unlike consumers, network operators have not been able to benefit from the same protections against rising costs and so have often had to pass the impact on to consumers via higher bills etc. Suffice to say that anything which may help to reduce energy costs is a good thing.

Nokia said the solution will soon be introduced more broadly into the new generation of their AirScale RAN (Radio Access Network) portfolio.