RAN Archives - EMFSA

Putting the Heat on 5G Networks’ Energy Dilemma

Editor — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 11:32:45 +0000

Source: https://www.eetimes.com/putting-the-heat-on-5g-networks-energy-dilemma/

By John Walko 12.18.2020

Some good news emerged earlier this month regarding 5G networks. Nokia and Telefonica have been monitoring various different load traffic scenarios, measuring the energy consumed per Mbps in the radio access network (RAN). They now report that it is “up to” 90% more efficient than with legacy 4G networks.

That’s important because, by one estimation 5G ecosystems could be responsible for a 160% increase in power requirements by 2030 when compared with existing cellular networks.

Nokia and Telefonica attribute the “significant” improvements that they achieved to a number of software and hardware features at both the base stations and in the networks themselves. They reference small cell deployments, new 5G architectures and protocols, and significant advances in the use of artificial intelligence as amongst features that must be deployed and combined to really improve the energy efficiency of wireless networks.

The trials over the past three months — based on Nokia’s AirScale portfolio of base stations and massive MIMO antennas — in Telefonica’s network show that 5G carries more bits per data than any previous generation cellular technology. Hence, this makes 5G natively greener.

Of course the companies wisely caution that a lot more work needs to be done in this area to further enhance energy efficiency and minimize the emission of carbon dioxide.

That, unfortunately, is the logical and inevitable corollary of the huge increase expected in data traffic with 5G networks, and with RAN site deployments.

The post Putting the Heat on 5G Networks’ Energy Dilemma appeared first on EMFSA.

MTN South Africa selects Ericsson for commercial 5G Core and Radio

Editor — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 22:35:17 +0000

Source:

https://www.ericsson.com/en/press-releases/2019/11/mtn-south-africa-selects-ericsson-for-commercial-5g-core-and-radio?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social_organic&utm_campaign=bnew_bdgs_global_5g_core_ran_20191114&utm_content=news

Earlier this week, MTN South Africa and Huawei carried out a 5G trial during the AfricaCom event, South African press reported.

The demo runs on test spectrum in the 3.5GHz band, which is also called the C-Band. The Chinese vendor said that its previous demonstrations with MTN used spectrum in the 28GHz band.

MTN said that the demo uses real 5G non-standalone equipment, and is connected to its live core network in Cape Town. https://www.rcrwireless.com/20191114/5g/ericsson-wins-5g-network-contract-south-africa

South Africa should not rush into 5G – Ericsson

Bradley Prior 10 November 2019

Eva Andren, VP and head of managed services for Ericsson in the MEA region, has warned against rushing into 5G in South Africa until there is sufficient demand for the technology.

Speaking at a media briefing, Andren highlighted that while many networks are looking to get into the 5G space, investing too heavily into the technology quickly could result in a poor return on investment.

“It’s a question of timing,” explained Andren.

“If your timing is not right, you may not get the return of investment you are looking for. So you need to ask if the market is ready for it.”

Andren also highlighted that if your 5G network doesn’t have comprehensive coverage, users will be frustrated that they can’t always get the speeds they are expected.