The Broadband Forum has launched a new project that is seeking to lower the energy consumption of fibre optic broadband networks when accessing the internet. This will build on the ITU-T’s recommendations and guidelines on power-saving in fibre equipment, while adopting some of the forum’s own standards.
First things first. Modern fibre optic networks are already highly energy efficient, particularly when compared with older copper-line technologies at similar speeds. But this sort of comparison will only get you so far because full fibre networks typically deliver significant faster speeds than those older technologies. Nevertheless, there’s always room for more improvement.
The project – ‘Energy Power Saving Requirements, Test Plan, and Data Model‘ – will see a number of the Broadband Forum’s standards and specifications incorporate these new energy saving requirements for the industry to adhere to. This builds on the ITU-T Supplement 45 (G series), which published recommendations and guidelines on power-saving in Passive Optical Networks (PON) equipment.
The main focus here will be on making improvements to Optical Line Terminals (OLTs) and the more familiar Optical Network Units (ONU / ONTs), which are the optical modems that FTTP broadband consumers often have to get installed inside their homes. For example, future ONUs will probably see more power shedding (i.e. reducing power to non-essential functions without breaking the optical link) and add watchful speed modes to ensure that only the relevant hardware is consuming power.
Hugues Le Bras, Network Engineer (Orange) and Project Editor, said:
“Energy efficiency in fixed broadband equipment is essential for reducing power costs and CO2 emissions for operators and their customers. As the demand for high-speed connectivity continues to rise, it becomes crucial that FTTH networks operate sustainably, ensuring connectivity empowers the end user as well as nurturing the planet. To achieve this, the new project outlines power saving requirements, power measurement monitoring and testing methods that are needed to unlock greater energy efficiency.
We need service providers to commit to lower energy consumption, equipment and component vendors to comply to these targets, and test labs to test the interoperability and functionality of protocol specific power saving methodologies once agreed on.”
Assuming all goes to plan, the project will aim to publish its specification during Summer 2025. The focus will then switch to encouraging the development of technologies that satisfy the new power-saving requirements.