Sparring Partners | Energy efficiency in private networks

Most mobile operators have a strong public commitment to meet net-zero targets and achieve higher energy efficiency. What is happening in private networks run by enterprises, real estate managers, or public entities? How energy efficient are private networks? How should we assess their energy efficiency? How does it compare to 4G and 5G public networks?

Simon Fletcher, CSO at the Small Cell Forum, joined me in a discussion on energy efficiency and sustainability in private networks. It is a topic that has not yet attracted the attention it deserves, in light of the great growth potential of private networks.

We explored what we think are the most intriguing dimensions affecting energy efficiency in private indoor networks:

00:06 Kendra’s introduction
01:11 Monica’s introduction to the Sparring Partners
03:31 Simon introduces himself, Small Cell Forum
05:10 Private networks not always managed by mobile operators
05:47 Public networks, neutral hosts, infrastructure sharing
09:01 Energy efficiency in indoor networks
10:47 Reporting on energy efficiency versus becoming more energy efficient, radio link efficiency
13:37 Energy efficiency in 4G and 5G
15:21 Spectrum, macro/small cells, mobility/handovers: impact on energy efficiency
18:39 Efficiency and traffic load, challenges is determining energy efficiency
24:32 Energy use in in-building networks
27:29 Signal penetration into building, tenant requirements
31:37 Neutral hosts, connectivity needs of enterprises
36:37 Cellular and Wi-Fi: what’s more energy efficient; voice over Wi-Fi
47:43 6G, KPIs
53:53 AI
56:25 RIS
59:35 Small Cell Forum activities; Open RAN and small cells

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