Asian communications technology group, Singtel, has announced its nationwide deployment of Ericsson’s Cell Sleep Mode function to further conserve energy at its mobile base stations as part of its net-zero emissions strategy. This radio software feature is combined with Ericsson’s Cognitive Software app that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to predict the traffic patterns of individual radio cell transmitters, resulting in optimised cell sleep configurations and energy savings of up to eight per cent on average annually.
“We want to meet the ever-increasing demand for data and connectivity but in a socially-conscious and sustainable manner in keeping with our goal of achieving net-zero by 2050. Singtel is delighted to deploy Ericsson’s Cell Sleep Mode function which utilises AI/ ML to further optimise our network energy usage at our mobile base stations. With the use of predictive AI/ML and advancements in hardware technology, the application of cell sleep mode throughout the day further optimises energy savings without impacting connectivity or the mobile user experience,” said Tay Yeow Lian, managing director (networks), consumer Singapore, Singtel.
Typically, cell transmitters could only be put on sleep mode at night when network usage is generally
lower. With the Cell Sleep Mode function, electricity consumption at Singtel’s mobile base station is
reduced by putting its cells to sleep during low traffic conditions. Paired with the Cognitive Software,
Singtel can gather intelligence from large volumes of data including usage and mobility patterns round the clock to make highly efficient, fast, and automated decisions on when to switch its radio cell
transmitters to sleep mode thereby conserving energy.
“Efficient monitoring and tracking supported by revolutionary AI can help identify optimisation areas to reduce the energy used by base stations across networks. Our Cell Sleep Mode coupled with Cognitive Software is helping Singtel cope with the growing data demand while meeting their need to reduce energy consumption in order to reach their Net Zero target,” said Martin Wiktorin, head of Ericsson Singapore, Brunei and Philippines.
Over the years, Singtel says that it has implemented efficient power usage techniques such as installation of energy-efficient radios and optimising network algorithms at its mobile base stations in Singapore, including the deployment of Singapore’s most energy-efficient 5G radio cell which helps save up to 18 per cent more energy than previous generations of 5G radios.
