Transforming ICT for Sustainable Telecom Applications and Services

Next Generation Communications Blog

Transforming ICT for Sustainable Telecom Applications and Services

A clear trend among businesses the past year has been an increased focus on Green IT - whether due to a sense of environmental responsibility or as a means to reduce cost through decreasing footprint and reducing energy consumption. Ultimately, the motivation is less important than the end result - a reduction in the overall carbon emissions, something that has become increasingly important to the telecom sector.
 
In fact, research suggests that more than 50 percent of enterprise decision makers are placing an emphasis on "green" when making technology related decisions, resulting in an increased focus on the eco-sustainability of technology investments.
 
This, as Alcatel-Lucent CEO Ben Verwaayen writes in his article in Enriching Communications,  "The Low Carbon Opportunity," provides an opportunity for the ICT (Information and Communications Technology) sector to help drive investment in and adoption of green technologies, helping businesses save on both OPEX and CAPEX, while reducing the global carbon footprint.
 
He believes that public policy must be enacted to support eco-sustainability initiatives on a wider scale, and that within 3-4 years, standards will be in place for reporting on environmental initiatives, much like today's financial reporting standards.
 
However, it's also likely that businesses will need to be incentivized to truly make eco-sustainability a priority - or at least to accelerate adoption of and adherence to policies. For instance, tax benefits could be implemented for businesses meeting certain standards for carbon emissions and energy efficient operations.
 
Alcatel-Lucent - which has recently formally increased its focus on green IT by launching its new eco-sustainability site - has long been promoting the adoption of energy efficient technology, thanks in large part to research conducted in its Bell Labs facilities.
 
Verwaayen notes that, "We are turning to our Bell Labs researchers to push the envelope on what is achievable by focusing on breakthroughs to increase energy efficiency -- such as alternative energy and dynamic power solutions, heat sinks, and active antenna arrays."
 
In fact, Bell Labs is set to announce a major new initiative on January 11, 2010, which it says has the potential to drive a fundamental transformation in network technology, resulting in a significant reduction of the ICT carbon footprint.
 
Read all of Verwaayen's thoughts on the opportunity - and responsibility - the increased focus on green IT presents to the telecom industry here.


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