SingTel Group in pact with GSMA for mobile energy efficiency benchmarking


Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) with
its wholly-owned subsidiary, Optus, and regional mobile associates will jointly
participate in the GSMA’s Mobile Energy Efficiency (MEE) Benchmarking
initiative.


Through this exercise, a benchmark will be
developed for the group entities to drive energy cost savings and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions in their network operations. 


The participants include Airtel (India and
Africa), Advanced Info Service (Thailand), Globe Telecom (Philippines), Optus
(Australia), Pacific Bangladesh Telecom (Bangladesh), SingTel (Singapore),
Telkomsel (Indonesia) and Warid (Pakistan).


The group companies will work with GSMA to
benchmark their networks against industry peers using standard energy key
performance indicators. To deliver long term improvements, the exercise will be
conducted annually and outcomes tracked regularly against the
benchmarks.  


The result from the benchmarking will
assist to identify areas to raise power consumption efficiency. These
include reviewing the design of radio access network architecture through
techniques like free air cooling and insulation paint for base station shelter
to improve the energy efficiency and accelerate adoption of renewable green energy 
solutions in these areas.


“Energy efficiency is a strategic
priority for the Group and is an important step towards the adoption of future
renewable energy and building a sustainable operation. This initiative also
complements our regional Go-Green initiative to pave the way towards a greener
future,” said Hui Weng Cheong, SingTel CEO International.


Since the introduction of the MEE
Benchmarking service in 2010, 34 operators covering more than 200 networks have
signed up to work with the GSMA.


“This collaboration also aligns with
the mission of the GSMA’s MEE organisation in promoting the reduction of
network energy costs and CO2 emissions for the benefit of mobile
operators,” said Tom Philips, chief regulatory officer, GSMA.


Recently, SingTel announced that the group’s total mobile customer base increased 15 percent or 56
million from a year ago to reach 424 million as at 30 September 2011.


By Telecomlead.com Team
[email protected]