New Telecom Opportunities – In The Green Space

Implications: Going Green is not only socially responsible but it can be profitable.

Analysis: I applaud Verizon for its efforts.  People don’t realize how much juice telecom equipment uses.  Verizon is going that extra mile and having the vendors reduce power consumption by 20% rather going with the industry’s consensus for a 10% to 15% energy reduction.

Telcordia, the industry’s defacto requirements body, typically establishes safety and oeprating requirements for all equipment.  Energy consumption is neither a safety requirement nor operating requirement.  Forget about standards.  Most of the global industry has over the years followed Bell Labs, then Bellcore, and then Telcordia requirements documents.  Standards take years to develop.  Telcordia (formerly Bellcore) has literally gone unchallenged as the industry’s requirements body.  Telcordia develops requirements within the framework of standards established by industry standards bodies.

Getting back to Verizon.  The company has demanded that the vendors achieve this by not incurring any additional costs for the carriers.  Let me translate.  Verizon is telling the vendors to get it done and don’t bother charging it for the changes.  Verizon will get what it wants or the vendor can kiss the sale goodbye.  Vendors will recognize Verizon’s request as business as usual.  Would you tell an 8,000 pound gorilla it can’t have his banana?  Frankly, I don’t blame Verizon for taking a hard line with vendors.

As for the vendors, it is time to get creative.  There could be new vendor opportunities as well.  One of the industry thoughts has been a sleep cycle for the equipment.  This is actually an interesting thought.  In general telecom equipment has two operating modes:  active and active standby.  Active standby is really an active state for redundant equipment.  A second pair of STPs is an example of active standby systems.  This idea is simple but directly relates to how existing systems operate.  You don’t necessarily need to invent new technology.  You can consider modifying how systems operate.  The sleep cycle is a no brainer.  A timer is a no brainer.  Star with simply things and work your way up.

Improved air handling would reduce HVAC costs.  Building systems that require less power would be a start towards developing new telecom systems components.  You may not need to change how a server works just have it use more energy efficient chips.

Where there is disaster and chaos there is work and opportunity.