Energy Consumption of Telecommunication Networks and Related Improvement Options

In this study, energy consumption of a universal network operator´s broadband telecommunication (TC) network, including the home networks that are required for the use of services over a period of approximately one decade is predicted, whereby it is assumed that no measures for an energy-efficiency increase are taken. It becomes obvious that home networks consume the largest share of energy in TC networks. Concerning the network sections under the responsibility of network operator, highest energy consumption shares are observed in the fixed and mobile access networks with a huge number of distributed network elements in the field. The highest energy consumption growth rates are foreseen in the data centers and IP backbone networks. Methods for reducing energy consumption are being classified and metrics for energy-related assessment of networks are compared. Furthermore, challenges and opportunities for energy-related improvements are discussed with respect to different network sections. A projection into the future shows high-energy-saving potential when combining different energy-reducing methods, such as load-adaptive networking and energy-aware system design. A brief view on related standardization activities shows high interest of standardization bodies in energy consumption of TC networks and confirms its current importance.