Today, everything is connected – from phones to watches to cars – modernizing industries, and cellular connectivity changing the way we live, work, and learn. But, at the same time carriers are building out the infrastructure to support this enhanced connectivity, they are setting aggressive decarbonization goals, including public Net Zero ambitions.

What that means for communications service providers (CSPs) is that they can no longer view performance as the sole criterion for success. The telecommunications network of today must be powerful and nimble – and it needs to be sustainable, too. And, AI is the key to creating and managing energy efficiency, reducing carbon footprint while continuing to deliver the high-quality service customers demand.

RAN Represents the Bulk of Energy Usage – And an Opportunity for Savings

The telecom industry is in a unique position when it comes to decarbonization. Advanced connectivity is key to enabling carbon reduction in other industries, and there is also a tremendous opportunity for the telecom industry to lead by example by cutting its own emissions. 

The Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment accounts for 80% of the energy use for an operator, based on a benchmarking study by the GSMA. Yet the GSMA also reports 62 operators, representing 61% of the industry (by revenue), have committed to a science-based carbon reduction target, pledging to reduce direct and indirect emissions by 2030.

As networks become increasingly complex, managing energy usage can’t be done manually. Software that monitors for periods of low usage to shut down unnecessary equipment is a good first step, but purely reactive solutions won’t be enough to manage traffic demands while cutting emissions.

AI is the missing ingredient that will help CSPs gain insights to inform ongoing energy savings, while also driving real-time efficiencies through operational orchestration.

AI is what will take network energy management from reactive to predictive, making decisions based on the network’s needs.

For example, AI functions can decide, based on data, what resources will be needed in the coming hours and days, and if all the capacity in the frequency bands within the RAN will be needed. They can then turn off or on different frequency bands or other resources according to predicted demand.

Because, AI programs dynamically learn, adapt, and act accordingly, these tools enable operators to control cells dynamically and in turn, serve dynamic traffic patterns instead of just peak traffic.

Taking things to the next level, CSPs will be able to use AI and machine learning predictions to build digital twins of the RAN environment, allowing them to test and develop energy-saving features without any risk to their actual, live network. 

AI Can Identify and Enable Savings Beyond Network Operations

And it’s not just the day-to-day network management where AI tools can help reduce energy usage. They can also help operators diagnose and resolve issues remotely, getting things right the first time to reduce unplanned downtime – as well as achieving carbon reduction through fewer maintenance truck rolls. And, with AI insights, CSPs can identify where new cell sites or other resources should be deployed, creating efficiencies with deployments and equipment buildouts.  

Another area where AI can enable energy savings is in the passive equipment at individual cellular sites, things like climate control or air conditioning.

AI solutions can help companies manage the energy infrastructure on-site more intelligently. They can also help in areas where demand response programs are enabled, or when government regulations or tariffs are in place to control peak demand.

For example, AI-powered applications can switch to battery power during times when tariffs are higher (peak load shifting), or when the grid power usage reaches a certain power grid alternating current (AC) limit.

There is a real urgency behind the need for CSPs to make operations more energy efficient, as the telecom industry works to meet self-declared sustainability targets as well as government mandates. Yet, there can be an understandable hesitancy to enact some energy-saving solutions, for fear of disrupting networks or reducing the quality of service. Luckily, AI can be a solution for both these issues – giving CSPs the tools they need to manage complex network functions in the most efficient manner possible, while also collecting and analyzing data to test and refine new applications in a virtual environment, such as a digital twin. Cellular networks need to get smarter to meet sustainability expectations without affecting customer experience – and AI is the key to making it work.

[To share your insights with us, please write to sghosh@martechseries.com]

The post AI-Enabled Solutions Are the Key to Help Cellular Operators Reach Carbon Reduction Targets appeared first on AiThority.

Canadians deserve lower wireless prices; increased competition is the way to affordability and better service

dotmobile, a Full Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), is pleased to announce its first network wholesale agreement. It is with Iristel, Canada’s only coast-to-coast-to-coast telecommunications network.

Dotmobile is an independent wireless service provider seeking access to multiple Canadian radio access networks to complement its own cloud-based core network. Both dotmobile and Iristel are a part of Competitive Network Operators of Canada.

“We see the importance of investing in network infrastructure, as well as optimizing the use of what exists today,” says Algis Akstinas, CEO of dotmobile. “Our goal is to bring our innovative, all-digital wireless service to all Canadians, no matter who they are or where they live. Iristel’s radio access network covers some of the least densely populated areas in not only Canada, but the world. Network agreements like this are critical to achieving our goal.”

Recommended AI News: Secureworks Completes Acquisition of Delve Laboratories, Inc.

Beyond building its national facilities-based VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) network and a wireless network in Canada’s far North, Iristel and its affiliates have also built networks in Africa and Eastern Europe.

“We know how to build robust networks using innovative technologies that offer customers advanced communications services at fair prices,” says Samer Bishay, President and CEO of Iristel. “Interestingly, with every network we’ve built around the world, we’ve found benefits by allowing competitors on our networks, something Canada’s big telecoms do not understand.”

The CRTC is currently deciding on the fate of fixed and wireless connectivity in Canada for the next five years. Canada has some of the highest wireless prices in the world. Smaller players such as MVNOs like dotmobile can offer innovative new services and serve niche segments while generating good returns for host networks to ensure continued network investment.

Recommended AI News: Basware Evolves SmartPDF, Now Captures Invoice Data Automatically via Artificial Intelligence

“Having our own core-network is paramount to offering differentiated service, having both cost and speed-to-market advantage. It unleashes real wireless service innovation,” says Mr. Akstinas. “dotmobile is following a low-cost high-tech business model. Modern cloud infrastructure, simple connectivity options and reduced operational complexity will bring significant savings and improved wireless experience to our members at an optimal cost.”

Data On Tap Inc., parent of dotmobile, was founded by two former WIND Mobile product architects. dotmobile was a registered “Proposed Full MVNO” (Mobile Network Code – 302 100) from August 29^th, 2019 to September 17^th, 2020. According to rules set by the Canadian telecom regulator – the CRTC – an agreement with the core network provider is one of the three essential requirements needed to become a Full Mobile Virtual Network Operator.

The post Data on Tap Lands First Wholesale Network Agreement for Its dotmobile Wireless Service appeared first on AiThority.

Dark Cubed receives groundbreaking patent with significant impacts on cybersecurity information sharing and protection for the Defense Industrial Base

Dark3, Inc., an innovative Cybersecurity Software as a Service Company, announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued U.S. Patent 10,735,455 entitled “System for anonymously detecting and blocking threats within a telecommunications network.” The patent covers the design and implementation of a revolutionary capability to facilitate real-time cybersecurity protection across a large number of networks while enabling all participants to remain fully anonymous.

This functionality is currently in use today within the United States Department of Defense to provide fully functional two-way cybersecurity threat intelligence sharing, threat detection and analytics, and threat hunting for the Defense Industrial Base (“DIB”). The ability to provide these capabilities has been an elusive and expensive challenge for the DoD prior to Dark Cubed’s innovative approach. The need for the expansion of these capabilities was highlighted in the March 2020 Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC) Report, where it is stated: “Congress should require Defense Industrial Base (DIB) participation in threat intelligence sharing programs (6.2.1) and threat hunting on DIB networks (6.2.2).”

Recommended AI News: MRM Names Jayna Kothary As Global Chief Technology Officer

Dark Cubed was founded to bring simplicity, automation, and ease of use to cybersecurity for businesses of all sizes. Vince Crisler, former CISO of the White House, created Dark Cubed to reduce the cost and complexity associated with providing real-time cybersecurity protection to small businesses and large, complex enterprises alike to a novel approach to automation and machine-to-machine communications. “With our unique approach, we can provide the value of an enterprise-grade security operations center at a fraction of the price, and make it work for organizations of all sizes, without requiring impossible investments in talent or overly complex software tools.”

Recommended AI News: Human Times Shares New HR Media Intelligence Tool With Josh Bersin Academy Members

Vince Crisler, CEO of Dark Cubed celebrated the accomplishment saying “this is such an exciting time for our team.” He explained that his dream was always to create a cybersecurity software that any business could benefit from because “99% of businesses are priced out of the cybersecurity market.” He went further to state “I am also incredibly excited about our ability to help the DoD solve one of the most strategic cybersecurity challenges of our time, enabling real-time cybersecurity protection for the DIB without running afoul of privacy and legal concerns, a functionality that we can uniquely provide through our patented anonymization capabilities.”

Recommended AI News: NextRoll Announces 5x Increase in Profitability, Product-Led Growth, and Names Robin Bordoli as CEO

The post Dark Cubed Receives Patent for Anonymous Network Threat Detection and Prevention Capability appeared first on AiThority.