RAN energy efficiency
Learn how operators can reduce RAN energy use with practical, data-driven measures.
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More InformationLower costs, meet sustainability goals, and optimize network operations.
Energy efficiency is now a business and sustainability priority
Reducing energy consumption lowers operational costs and supports climate targets. The whitepaper links energy-saving measures to stronger financial performance, sustainability commitments, and long-term competitiveness.
The RAN is a major lever for energy savings
The whitepaper identifies the Radio Access Network as a particularly important area because it accounts for a significant share of telecom network energy consumption, with base stations representing a major portion of electricity usage.
Electricity costs are increasing the urgency to act
Rising electricity prices add pressure to improve energy efficiency. This makes network modernization, smarter operations, and energy-saving features more relevant for telecom operators seeking cost control.
Operators can improve efficiency without harming user experience
The whitepaper shows that energy-saving actions can be applied with very low, often not measurable, impact on customer experience when supported by structured analysis, suitable thresholds, and operational safeguards.
Data-driven scenario analysis improves decision-making
Detecon’s NetWorks Mobile Forecast helps operators assess where and when carrier deactivation is feasible, enabling more realistic planning of energy-saving measures before implementation.
Learn more about NetWorks Mobile Forecast
Six energy efficiency pillars for telecom operators.
Energy consumption transparency
Operational framework and process control
Vendor-driven hardware and software optimization
Ericsson, Nokia, and Huawei all approach RAN energy efficiency through combinations of hardware improvements, software-based optimization, cooling innovations, and AI-driven network management. These solutions target both CAPEX and OPEX efficiency.
Standards and intelligent energy management
3GPP Energy Saving Management, ITU energy domains, and Open RAN concepts such as RF channel switching create an important standards-based path toward more automated and scalable energy reduction in mobile networks.
Energy efficiency by design
Layer 1 processing has a major impact on RAN power consumption. The whitepaper shows how acceleration choices, silicon design, and programmable architectures influence both energy usage and future readiness, especially in cloud RAN and Open RAN environments.
Simulation-based implementation planning
With NetWorks Mobile Forecast, operators can model current and future traffic loads and assess when carrier deactivation is possible. This supports lower investment and operating costs while helping avoid performance degradation.
What the whitepaper highlights about RAN energy efficiency.
Energy efficiency is both a cost and network design issue
The whitepaper shows that meaningful energy reductions require a combination of smarter operations, vendor innovation, standards-based energy management, and network-specific scenario analysis.
6.4B
Global unique mobile subscribers were estimated at 6.4 billion in 2022, with forecasts pointing to 7.7 billion by 2028.
2–3%
Telecommunications accounts for 2–3% of global energy consumption, underlining the importance of energy efficiency across network infrastructure.
0.6%
Mobile networks are responsible for about 0.6% of the world’s electricity consumption according to the whitepaper.
90%
The whitepaper states that 3GPP specifications for 5G call for designs targeting a 90% reduction in energy consumption.
Get to know us.
Radoslaw Kowalski
Senior Manager
Marvin Sanchez
Manager
Matthias Schweigel
Senior Manager
