• A new power-saving mode that shuts down radio equipment in no traffic periods, achieving ‘zero traffic, zero watt’ with much more energy saving than the existing deep-sleep mode.
• The solution can reduce energy consumption at radio level by a factor of eight compared to deep-sleep mode.
• Solution leverages Nokia MantaRay energy-saving automation with artificial intelligence and machine learning.
• Highlights the need for more energy efficient networks to meet climate change targets.

Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced the launch of a new power-saving mode called ‘extreme deep sleep’ that utilises Nokia’s latest generation AirScale radio architecture and Reefshark System-on-Chip chipsets. This new solution will be rolled out by Orange in the second half of 2024 to enhance the energy efficiency of Orange’s mobile networks without impacting performance or customer experience. The mode, which is referred to as “zero traffic, zero Watt” detects when the network has low traffic and shuts down key parts of selected radio units’ hardware to save on energy cost. Nokia estimates that the solution can reduce radio unit consumption by a factor of eight. The solution will be introduced more broadly in the new generation of Nokia’s AirScale RAN portfolio.

The solution leverages software in Nokia’s Habrok radio units, as well as Nokia’s MantaRay energy solution, which optimizes the energy consumption of radio access networks with AI and ML. Extreme deep-sleep mode goes further than previous deep-sleep solutions by disconnecting additional hardware subsystems. MantaRay is Nokia’s network management and optimization solutions portfolio which brings the power of AI/ML to support intelligent, efficient, and cognitive RAN operations.

This is the latest project the companies have collaborated on to reach their joint sustainability ambitions. Previous initiatives included circular economy and product refurbishment projects.

The telecommunications industry is encouraging vendors to manufacture more energy efficient solutions to help the industry achieve its sustainability goals. Energy costs account for a growing part of the costs facing network operators. In particular, the radio access network (RAN) accounts for approximately 80 percent of all mobile network energy consumption.

Arnaud Vamparys, CTIO, Orange Europe, said: “We have long advocated the need for ecosystem cooperation if we are to reduce our industry’s environmental footprint and make our networks as energy efficient as possible. This project is in line with our ambition to reduce our CO2 emissions by 45% in 2030 compared with 2020 for all scopes 1, 2 and 3, as set out in our "Lead the future" strategic plan.”

Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, said: “Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Nokia, and we are committed to continuously maximizing the energy efficiency of our technology and AirScale radio access portfolio. This latest achievement with our partner, Orange, is further proof of our efforts to help our customers meet their targets and achieve their sustainability ambitions.”