The Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGMN Alliance), an open forum founded by leading mobile network operators, has announced the establishment of methodologies and KPIs for what it calls a Global Green Networks Benchmark.
The new initiative is part of the NGMN Alliance Green Future Networks Programme and aims to generate a global standard for the industry.
The Alliance explains that, while current mobile network benchmarks mostly concentrate on comparing service quality and user experience, its new Global Green Networks Benchmark will place the focus on green network operations.
The general objectives of this NGMN initiative are: to establish globally applicable KPIs and methodologies; to define a global evaluation methodology; and to define the data sources for the assessment and how such data are obtained.
In the first step, the benchmark will focus on high-level sustainability indicators, followed by more detailed assessments at subsequent stages.
The logic behind this initiative is hard to dispute. As traffic volume grows, keeping the energy curve flat will be a challenge for the telecoms industry. And, of course, as the Alliance points out, more and more end users are looking for sustainable services from their network providers.
Although many operators have committed to net-zero targets, there is a high potential in improving network energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. NGMN hopes to address this with all its Green Future Networks’ activities and is inviting interested industry players to take part.
