Ericsson, Telecom Italia test EcoSmart solar power

World’s leader in provision of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and services to telecom operators, Ericsson and Telecom Italia have trialed Ericsson’s innovative solar site solution, called EcoSmart.

With this, both telcos have positioned themselves at the forefront of solar-powered site development, and proving that alternative energy sources represent a viable business case for both emerging and developed markets.

Disclosing this, Head, Marketing Communications at Ericsson Nigeria, Mr. Olabode Sowunmi, said in a press statement made available to ITRealms Online that Eco-Smart solution, is based on flexible solar panels, and could generate up to 100 per cent of the energy required to power a site in the same land space as a traditional site.

“Environmental issues are high on Ericsson’s agenda and this trial aims to prove that solar solutions represent a sustainable business case for operators in developed countries. As energy costs can account for up to 50 per cent of a site’s operating expenses, the Eco-Smart solution can help operators make significant cost savings while reducing CO2 emissions,” he said.

The trial, he said, was carried out in Italian city of L’Aquila, where G8 leaders met last weekend to discuss, among other topics the challenges posed by climate change ahead of December’s United Nations conference on climate in Copenhagen.

Sowunmi quoted the Head, Technology & Operations at Telecom Italia, Mr. Stefano Pileri as saying that with this trial the telco reaffirms its commitment to technological innovation that will benefit the whole country, as well as cost-cutting solutions.

“Using Eco-Smart also confirms our concern for environmental sustainability, one of the main drivers of our development policies,” Pileri said.

Equally speaking, President of Ericsson Italy, Mr. Cesare Avenia, said that Ericsson is at the forefront of energy-efficient solutions development and the trial last week, points out that the Eco-Smart represents everything telecommunications and Ericsson stand for, basically using innovative solutions to improve lives.

“The solution also confirms Ericsson’s leading position as an integrator, as it can be used with any technology, 2G, 3G or LTE, and in multi-vendor environments,” Avenia said.

Emphasizing that the trial was the outcome of an agreement signed between Ericsson and Telecom Italia in 2008 to jointly develop sustainable solutions, hence, Eco-Smart reaffirms both companies’ commitment to a more innovative and eco-sustainable society.

He further said that the Eco-Smart solution features include an elliptical support structure coated with flexible solar panels wrapping up the antenna.

The innovative structure, which was completely designed in Italy, Avenia said, could be easily adapted to all radio base stations shapes and provide operators with significant advantages in terms of operational expenses with an expectation of medium-term amortization, with a very low environmental impact.

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