The time to focus on sustainability is NOW
When I speak with service providers, whether it’s through our Juniper Beyond Labs efforts or while attending events such as Mobile World Congress, increasingly I hear that the balance between technological innovation and environmental sustainability has become a must-have requirement. Approximately 73% of Tier 1 and Tier 2 operators have committed to net zero emissions between 2040 and 2050.
We’ve also heard how data-intensive applications are driving annual traffic growth rates up to 40%. Operators are grappling with the rising energy demands required to sustain this rapid expansion. Pressured by this exponential surge in demand, the entire industry is faced with a challenge: how to manage accelerating traffic growth while minimizing carbon emissions and how to manage accelerating traffic growth while minimizing carbon emissions.
Embracing a comprehensive and scalable approach
Yes, progress is being made. Between 2019 and 2022, the GSMA reported that global internet traffic more than doubled. Yet the telecom industry achieved a 6% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 operational emissions because of quick wins like legacy network upgrades; simple, energy-saving optimizations; and greater use of renewable energy.
However, improving networking efficiencies cannot match the surge in energy demand. Meeting the industry’s ambitious net zero targets will require a significant shift from incremental improvements to a comprehensive, holistic sustainability approach that ensures emissions can be decoupled with traffic growth. Operators must seek to implement advanced, integrated initiatives that address all facets of their networks simultaneously.
It is with these challenges in mind that Juniper Networks worked with STL Partners to produce a research brief highlighting a framework for sustainable technology adoption in telecommunications. The report, titled Silicon, Systems, and Operations: A practical framework for sustainable technology adoption in telecoms examines the intersection of sustainable practices and innovative telecommunications solutions. We think it offers valuable insights and provides actionable recommendations for moving the industry toward a more efficient and sustainable future.
And of course, this is part of Juniper Networks’ sustainability strategy, outlined here: Connecting Innovation with Impact: Juniper’s Commitment to Sustainability.
Paving the path to sustainability with an SSO framework
The STL Partners brief outlines Juniper Networks’ framework with silicon, systems, and operations (SSO) as its core. The framework provides a strategic focus on driving sustainable advances in those core areas. This integrated approach prioritizes both business growth and sustainability, aligning the overarching goal of driving energy efficiency (due to the rising cost of energy and huge demand for new renewable energy) and net zero targets within the telecommunications industry.
Breaking down the environmental value of the SSO framework
Silicon
Specialized silicon, tailored for network platforms and specific use cases, provides notable efficiency benefits compared to general-purpose processors. Network Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) offer optimized performance and power efficiency, allowing for enhanced utilization with demanding workloads. Key sustainability initiatives in advanced silicon and optics include:
- Next-generation silicon chipsets that deliver better power efficiency, faster switching performance, and higher density, enabling the delivery of higher throughput machines with greater power and space efficiency and reducing Scope 2 and 3 emissions
- Upgrading optics with new coherent optics that enable IPoDWDM architectures that dramatically reduce the power, space, and carbon footprint of legacy architectures. The modularity of pluggable optics means that equipment life can be extended, reducing the manufacturing emissions associated with new product purchase
- An adaptive component design with advanced chipsets that use modular functionality to optimize energy consumption. Multiple functions are integrated into a single system-on-a-chip (SoC) that can put components into sleep mode, reducing energy consumption without shutting down the entire chip
Sustainable systems
Designing sustainable platform systems and network architectures is crucial for a future-proof and resilient network. Implementing modern and sustainable system design enhances flexibility and scalability, streamlining operations to meet evolving demands effectively. Moreover, it facilitates the easy recycling or reuse of components to mitigate environmental impact. Converged architectures, such as network and service convergence, promote greater resource sharing. Shared infrastructures reduce the necessity for maintaining separate networks, consequently lowering Scope 1 emissions. Consolidating network traffic and devices contributes to reductions in Scope 2 and 3 emissions, respectively.
Operations
Operators can reduce energy consumption and minimize field interventions by optimizing their network operations. This optimization, alongside the foundational efficiencies driven by silicon and systems, helps maximize overall sustainability gains at scale. By adopting software and platforms that utilize A3 (automation, analytics, and AI), operators can achieve real-time sustainability impact by adapting resources and optimizing network operations. Key sustainability initiatives in operations include:
- Automation, analytics and AI energy reporting and optimization tools that enable intelligent, energy-saving actions by analyzing traffic patterns. Components like ports and packet forwarding engines can be dynamically placed in energy-saving mode, reducing Scope 2 emissions
- Predictive maintenance that predicts faults before they occur, reducing the need for extensive mitigation and minimizing field interventions, thereby lowering Scope 1 emissions
- Energy-optimized routing that operators can automate to prioritize sustainable paths, utilizing lower power devices and clean energy sources. This allows for traffic redirection during network operations, effectively reducing Scope 2 emissions
Let’s build a sustainable future together
When it comes to responsible networking, we don’t face an either/or choice. Integrating advanced technologies with environmental responsibility absolutely must pave the way for a more sustainable telecoms future. Operators collaborating within frameworks outlined by industry observers like STL Partners still drive innovation while prioritizing sustainable practices.
The telecoms industry is at a critical juncture where sustainability and technological advancement go hand in hand. By following the guidelines outlined in the research brief, operators can collectively forge a path toward a sustainable future for the telecommunications industry.
To learn more about how you can do your part, I invite you to:
- Read the full report to discover the convergence of AI-Native Networking and sustainability
- Make sure you stop by our booth to visit me and our team in Barcelona at MWC25
- Watch this video to see how Juniper can help you advance sustainability
- Learn why UPC Poland believes the PTX Series routing platform provides the best five-year total cost of ownership out of the vendors it evaluated
