Verizon Completes Energy Efficiency Standards for Network

In an effort to cut back on its power consumption and energy costs and shrink its carbon footprint, Verizon (News - Alert) has created its own energy-consumption standards, and a measurement process for new telecommunications-related equipment.

 

The standards will be applied to certain broadband, video, data-center, network and customer-premises equipment purchased after January 1, 2009. The target given to the manufacturers of such equipment is 20 percent greater efficiency than today's gear.

 

“This is similar to a consumer buying appliances according to the standardized ENERGY STAR (News - Alert) efficiency levels," said Mark Wegleitner, senior vice president-corporate network and technology.

 

"However, in most cases, an ENERGY STAR-type rating system did not exist for the equipment we buy, so we set up our own standards and measurement process to create an effective program,” Wegleitner added.

Verizon wants to reduce their energy usage and do their part to improve the environment. According to Wegleitner, the company is proud to be leading the industry with this initial, important step, and they invite others to adopt these standards to make a bigger impact.

Verizon created a series of Telecommunications Equipment Energy Efficiency Ratings based on formulas that test the use of equipment in various operating conditions and settings. Test data are put into formulas developed for each type of equipment, which will indicate whether or not they achieve the target rating.

The type of equipment to be tested and rated includes optical and video transport systems, switches and routers, DSLAM high-speed internet equipment and optical line termination gear, as well as switching power systems, data center servers and power adapters that control customer equipment.

"The Verizon network requires power costing hundreds of millions of dollars annually to provide the most advanced services available anywhere in the world," Wegleitner said.

 

He explained that this money is well spent, as the network supports consumers and businesses in dynamic new ways. This is evident as Verizon’s customers participate in energy-efficient activities like videoconferencing and e-commerce every day over their network.

"Aside from the potential cost reductions involved, as a responsible corporate citizen, we want to be part of the drive toward greater energy efficiency," he said. "Part of our plan to accomplish this is to request our suppliers' help in meeting our conservation goals."

The requirements include new applications of existing methodologies as outlined in SPECpower_ssj2008TM and the Energy Star programs combined with some innovative Verizon-led concepts and methods of measurement. The concepts and measurement methods have been suggested for consideration by appropriate standards bodies, such as ATIS' (News - Alert) Network Interface, Power and Protection Committee (NIPP).

Verizon's new Energy Efficiency Requirements for Telecommunications Equipment are available for review at http://www.verizonnebs.com/ under Verizon Technical Purchasing Requirements (TPRs), VZ.TPR.9205.

Michelle Robart is a Contributing Editor at TMCnet. To read more of her articles please visit her columnist page.