Introduction

The urgent need to reduce the energy consumption of wireless ICT networks directly impacts the work of all actors involved in this industry, and in particular the groups and fora in charge of imaging, defining, and standardizing the evolution of telecommunication networks. The introduction of energy-saving mechanisms to current solutions and the definition of new techniques are issues addressed today by several experts, working in partnerships, all over the world.

Standardization groups represent, in the context of energy-saving techniques, as well as in other domains of telecommunication, a link between research activities, industrial product development activities, mobile network operators, and regulators. The standardization focus will depend on the role of each standardization body. Such a focus may be linked to performance evaluation and comparison, e.g. energy-efficiency benchmarking of entire mobile networks, or development of energy-efficiency metrics for individual radio base stations. The outcome of such work provides:

• guidance for vendors with respect to expected equipment characteristics;

• possibility for the telecommunication operator to compare offers from different vendors;

• guidance for mobile network operators related to deployment choices;

• possibility for the regulator to issue requirements or develop energy-related classification systems.

Another focus of standardization fora is related to the definition of functionality and open interfaces between equipments. The outcome of this work represents a common technological platform defined at a sufficiently detailed level to permit interoperability between vendors and hence the emergence of an ecosystem of researchers / suppliers / vendors on one side and mobile network operators on the other side.