Motorola successfully goes 'green'

Trial confirms feasibility of powering GSM Base Stations using 'green' power.

Motorola announced that it has successfully completed a trial to demonstrate the feasibility of alternative power systems which can support remote GSM Base Stations (BTS). The trial concluded that a combination of solar cells and wind turbines can generate 1,200 watts in a continual cycle; enough to drive a mid-sized BTS and support a microwave backhaul installation.

Powering BTS sites in both developed and emerging markets is a challenge for operators because of the high cost or difficulty of provisioning mains electrical power. Motorola's green-powered BTS, part of the company's Reach GSM portfolio, can replace or reduce the load on mains power and can also remove the need for power generators that require continual re-fueling and security.

"In areas such as central Africa, operators can spend as much as two-thirds of their operating costs on diesel power," comments Mohammad Akhtar, vice president, global product management GSM/UMTS, Motorola Sales and Services. "Using eco-powered BTS can help operators to lower operating costs. This reduction in operating expenditure (OPEX) can be critical for operators in emerging markets when building networks that reach customers in remote locations."

Like other 'eco-friendly' inventions, there are bound to be hassles, inconveniences and uncertainties, more than one might actually bargain for. So we applaud them now for going green but we'll cheer even louder if it would prove to be truly feasible and marketable when the time comes. Do you share this view?