NEC Launches Aspire NetZero SaaS Solution to Reduce Energy Consumption in Mobile Networks

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NEC Corporation announced the launch of Aspire NetZero, by NEC Aspire Technology Limited, an NEC subsidiary and a leader in technology solutions and specialized system integration. Aspire NetZero is an AI-enabled SaaS-based intelligent standalone energy reduction solution, designed to support mobile network operators in reducing unnecessary energy consumption in the Radio Access Network (RAN). The vendor-agnostic solution is adaptable to each mobile operator’s requirements while supporting 3G, 4G, and 5G.

GSMA Intelligence calculated that, on average, mobile RAN is responsible for 73% of a mobile operator's total energy consumption. Moreover, the research indicates that energy is usually the third biggest cost for mobile operators, after site rentals and labor, and that energy costs have increased from 2x to 8x in the past year. The growth of 5G is also weighing heavily on mobile operators' energy bills. GSMA Intelligence estimates that even in a best-case scenario, mobile networks are on course to almost double their power consumption between 2020 and 2025, thanks to 5G growth.

The power-saving features developed by different RAN equipment vendors for the various radio access technologies (2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G) are generally static and not optimized for fluctuating traffic profiles. Aspire NetZero leverages AI to autonomously analyze and predict network traffic patterns enabling operators to adjust resources to required capacity and performance, resulting in considerable power usage reductions. The solution automatically configures and orchestrates vendor features to continuously provide maximum savings and ensure the best end-user experience.

Aspire NetZero is designed to support hybrid-powered sites and to maximize battery run-time during off-grid periods, thus extending mobile service availability. The solution can realize at least a three-fold energy savings compared to standard energy reduction vendor features. These savings are increased up to 10 times, depending on traffic behavior and network topology.

“5G is putting a lot of pressure on energy consumption for operators, especially while they keep 2G, 3G, and 4G networks running,” said Declan Friel, CTO, NEC Aspire Technology. “Our AI-powered, multi-vendor application learns traffic behavior and continuously takes action in a fully automated closed loop, without any manual intervention. The solution is live and delivering OPEX savings to operators globally, and we are now extending that footprint together with NEC.”

“Mobile operators are making good progress in their sustainability initiatives, but they still need to focus on network performance and reliability for their customers,” said Hideyuki Ogata, General Manager, 5G Solution Department, NEC. “AI-powered solutions, such as Aspire NetZero, present a compelling option for operators to gain critical insights into how much energy their networks consume and where they can improve. Operators now have the opportunity to optimize their networks and drive significant energy savings with one standalone application.”