Making mobile networks more efficient

ETSI has published the second edition of its technical specification TS 102 706 on the measurement method for energy efficiency of wireless access network equipment.

This specification, developed by ETSI’s Technical Committee for Environmental Engineering, standardises the measurement method for energy efficiency for multiple mobile network technologies: GSM/EDGE, W-CDMA/HSPA, LTE and WiMAX networks.

The initial version of the specification considered energy efficiency at three different static load levels (low, medium and busy-hour traffic). The second version adds the consideration of the dynamic behaviour of equipment in operation with a realistic load level.

Two energy efficiency indicators for wireless systems are defined. One is based on the level of throughput compared with energy consumed and the other is based on the coverage area compared with energy consumed.This reflects the different demands placed on mobile network operators: higher performance networks and increased wide-area coverage.

The results can be used to assess and compare the efficiency of mobile radio network equipment from different vendors featuring the same mobile radio standard and frequency band.

Further development of this specification, which is supported by major telecoms equipment vendors and operators, will add other radio characteristics, like fast fading, to include more dynamic behaviour in the energy efficiency measurement method.