Nortel Software Upgrade Reduces GSM Base Station Power Consumption

Nortel is launching a "Smart Power Management" software platform that the company says helps reduce radio network power consumption in GSM networks and delivers significant energy and cost-savings for mobile operators. Power reductions that can be achieved through this solution were demonstrated in a trial conducted in February 2009 with China Mobile Communications Corporation (CMCC) - the parent company of Hong Kong listed China Mobile.

Nortel Smart Power Management (SPM) software enables network operators to switch off radio network equipment dynamically when there is no caller traffic being processed by the system. This can provide up to a 33% percent reduction in energy savings by reducing Base Transceiver Station (BTS) power consumption. This feature, combined with other enhancements made to Nortel's GSM technology, make today's Nortel GSM portfolio up to 50% more energy efficient than it was five years ago.

"As the cost of power and concern for the environment increases, continuous innovation in energy saving techniques is critical," said Graham Richardson, vice president and general manager, CDMA/GSM, Nortel. "In Nortel's labs we constantly look at how to deliver improved performance with less power input. Capabilities such as Smart Power Management reduce network OPEX and CO2 emissions while simultaneously enhancing operator profitability."

"Through the lab trial in Beijing we were able to demonstrate to CMCC that Nortel really can deliver the energy savings and cost reduction we claim," said Chenhong Huang, leader carrier sales, Nortel China. "When magnified into a network the size of CMCC's, with over 470 million subscribers, the ongoing operational cost savings can be huge."

The SPM feature is available as a simple software upgrade to Nortel GSM radio base station equipment. Other enhancements recently made by Nortel to increase the overall energy efficiency of its GSM portfolio include hardware improvements to increase power amplification efficiencies, and optimization of BTS cooling systems.

Posted to the site on 2nd April 2009