Power hungry broadband networks must embrace energy efficiency

Broadband providers must start reducing the power consumed by their networks, according to a leading industry body.

The Home Gateways Initiative (HGI), which sets out industry standards for networking equipment, believes there is ‘substantial scope’ for cost saving and helping the environment by reducing network power consumption.

Duncan Bees, HGI’s chief technology officer, said: “Reducing the energy consumption of broadband communications equipment without obstructing the quality of service provided has been at the forefront of operators’ minds for some time.

“At the HGI we are already working towards a set of industry specifications that will outline energy saving solutions for the Home Gateway.”

He added that telecoms providers need to work out ways of reducing network power consumption when less users are online.

“The power consumption of home gateways should follow the services being used; when fewer services are active, the power consumption should decline,” Bees said.

Founded by nine telecoms operators in 2004, the HGI now has members from across the globe.