Comcast Helps Set New Standard for Network Energy Efficiency
The environmental impact of the Internet continues to evolve, as continued high levels of demand inevitably require a large amount of energy to deliver data to customers.
In response, the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) and its members, including leading entertainment organisation Comcast, have established a world-first standard for network energy efficiency.
The initiative aims to address the growing environmental impact of internet usage and data delivery. It also seeks to provide guidance on calculating network traffic in bytes by allowing companies to measure network efficiency based on their primary output.
SCTE also plans to include intensity metrics that combine energy data with activity data to offer a more consistent approach to measuring and reporting energy performance.
“Connectivity and energy go hand in hand. We continue to invest in energy solutions that can power the fastest, most reliable network capable of meeting the future needs of our customers,” shares Ryan Capone, VP of Network Facilities & Energy at Comcast.
Combatting sustainability challenges with data
The development of this industry-leading was driven by studies that continue to recognise the rising environmental impact of cloud gaming and online streaming services. Therefore, it aims to enhance transparency in reporting network energy performance whilst meeting increasing data demands.
- Guidance for intensity metrics, combining energy data (e.g., electricity consumption) with activity data (e.g., network traffic in bytes)
- A consistent approach to measuring and reporting energy performance
- Tools for companies to assess and improve their network energy efficiency
Leading companies in the sector are already taking steps to improve their energy efficiency. For instance, Comcast has set a goal to double its network energy efficiency by 2030.
The company is investing in a nationwide network transformation by implementing virtual cloud-based technologies that promise faster broadband speeds, improved reliability and enhanced energy efficiency.
As a result, Comcast has reported a 40% reduction in electricity consumption per byte of data delivered since 2019.
Derek DiGiacomo, Senior Director of Energy Management Programs & Business Continuity at SCTE, says: “Everyone can see how broadband connectivity is transforming how we live, work, learn and play. What they might not see is how broadband connectivity is doing it with increasing efficiency.”
A push for energy reporting transparency
The telecommunications industry faces the ongoing challenge of balancing rising data demands with remaining sustainable.
While gaming in the cloud could potentially reduce the need for energy-intensive gaming hardware in homes, the energy required for data centres and network infrastructure to support these services could help to offset these gains.
- Virtual and cloud-based technologies for network management
- More energy-efficient data centre designs
- Improvements in network hardware and infrastructure
Likewise, continued advancements in technology play a critical role in improving network energy efficiency.
As the demand for data-intensive services continues to grow worldwide, network energy efficiency is likely to become more of a priority as telcos and data centres look to be more sustainable.
This new industry standard from SCTE hopes to provide a clear framework for measuring and reporting energy performance, which could ultimately drive further innovations and improvements across the sector.
Derek adds: “Thanks to Comcast's leadership in our standards development team, the SCTE standard will enable the visibility we need to continue to drive positive efficiency advancements across the industry.”
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