How Vodafone & Ericsson Are Using AI for 5G Sustainability

Are 5G networks capable of achieving significant energy savings without compromising performance? According to the recent initiatives by Vodafone UK and Ericsson, the answer is a resounding yes.

The joint venture, conducted at various locations throughout London, has resulted in a substantial 33% decrease in daily power consumption of 5G Radio Units, ushering in a new era in sustainable telecommunications technology.

"It's exciting to see how our work with Vodafone UK is making a real difference,” says Katherine Ainley, CEO of Ericsson UK and Ireland. 

“Our ability to significantly reduce network energy consumption while maintaining high performance standards is a testament to the innovation and expertise of our combined teams. I'm really proud of what we've achieved here - it's an important milestone in our ongoing journey to make networks smarter and more sustainable."

AI's role in network management

The trial showcased three pivotal AI-driven solutions from Ericsson's Service Continuity AI App suite which focuses on Intelligent Energy Efficiency:

• 5G Deep Sleep: This technology uses AI-driven predictive algorithms, enabling radios to enter a deep hibernation state during low traffic periods. This results in up to a 70% reduction in energy use during these times.
• 4G Cell Sleep Mode Orchestration: By creating a behavioural model of network cells, this solution adjusts sleep parameters automatically to optimise both energy savings and performance.
• Radio Power Efficiency Map: This tool uses machine learning to pinpoint and prioritise underperforming sites for efficiency enhancements.

These innovations collectively function to monitor, predict, and fine-tune energy usage across the network. They have the ability to power down components during less busy times and swiftly reactivate them as needed, ensuring the network runs efficiently without wasting energy.

Balancing efficiency and performance

A standout feature of this trial is its successful demonstration of how substantial energy reductions can be achieved without sacrificing network performance or user experience.

"By working with Ericsson to successfully apply these innovative software solutions to our network we’re able to significantly improve energy efficiency without impacting the service our customers receive,” shares Andrea Donà, Chief Network Officer & Network Director, Vodafone UK.

This is vital as mobile networks are progressively growing and the demand for data is skyrocketing. The trial proves the possibility to decouple energy consumption from traffic growth, managing to cut energy use while still catering to the growing needs for network capacity and coverage.

Environmental and economic benefits

The success of this trial has substantial implications for both environmental conservation and economic viability within the telecom sector.

“Reducing power consumption at our trial sites is a big win – both financially and environmentally and shows we can continue to improve the efficiency of our network as we build 5G coverage across the UK," Andrea says.

Environmentally, reducing energy use directly correlates with decreased carbon emissions, aiding operators in achieving their net zero ambitions.

Economically, the energy savings help lower operating costs, a crucial factor in the competitive telecom industry.

Charting a course for sustainable 5G

The ongoing global rollout of 5G highlights the critical need for energy efficiency in modern telecom networks.

5G technology is inherently more energy efficient per unit of data compared to 4G, capable of more than a tenfold increase in efficiency. The advancements shown by Vodafone and Ericsson through their innovative integration of AI and ML into network management go beyond inherent capabilities, setting a benchmark for future sustainable 5G deployments.

What does the future hold?

The promising results from this trial open new avenues for the future of telecommunications.

With continued enhancements and wider implementation of these technologies, even greater energy reductions across mobile networks are anticipated. This progress will not only help operators meet their sustainability targets but also support the broader shift towards more environmentally friendly technologies.

“We’re seeing increased traffic demands from 5G, with global subscriptions expected to reach around 6.3 billion by 2030,” Katherine shares.

“Operators must invest in their networks to handle this data growth whilst also addressing sustainability and energy efficiency.

“This is where AI and machine learning come into play. In trials like this one, we are witnessing how these technologies can revolutionise network management by activating networks only when necessary. Simultaneously, we are investing in hardware improvements to produce lighter radios that consume less energy while delivering optimal performance.

“By embracing these advancements, we pave the way for a more connected, sustainable future.”

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