Telecom networks are the backbone of modern society, connecting people and businesses all over the world. However, these networks are heavily dependent on reliable power supply to ensure network performance with minimal downtime. Traditional dependence on commercial power leaves telcos at risk of off-network outages and service interruption to key customers. Service providers recognize the challenges associated with power and are heavily investing in new solutions: the global telecom power system market was $3.9B in 2022 and projects to more than double over the next decade.

Emerging technologies help service providers manage power in two ways. Reducing dependence on commercial power via line power delivers more reliability, although this often requires significant investment. Service providers can also manage power supplies and critical assets more effectively using outage intelligence solutions that leverage AI and automation.

Line Power Solutions

Line power solutions are designed to reduce dependence on commercial utilities and provide reliable power to telecom networks. These solutions can include:

• Generators: Generators provide backup power to telecom networks during commercial power outages. However, generators can be expensive to operate and maintain, and they also produce harmful emissions.
• Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS): UPS systems provide battery backup power to telecom networks during commercial power outages. UPS systems are more efficient and environmentally friendly than generators, but they can be expensive to purchase and install. Telcos are also investing in cleaner, safer, and more efficient technology such as vanadium flow batteries to replace traditional lead and acid batteries.
• Renewable energy sources: Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, can be used to generate clean and reliable power for telecom networks. However, renewable energy sources can be intermittent and environment-dependent, so they need to be paired with energy storage solutions.

Artificial Intelligence and Automation

Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation can be used to manage telecom power supply assets and diagnose root causes of outages quickly.

• Asset management: AI can be used to track and monitor the performance of telecom-owned power supply assets, such as generators, UPS systems, and batteries. This information can be used to predict potential failures and schedule preventive maintenance.
• Outage diagnosis: AI can be used to analyze intelligence to quickly identify the root cause of an off-network outage. This information can be used to optimize operations and reduce manual processes during an outage.

Benefits of Reducing Reliance on Commercial Utilities

Reducing reliance on commercial utilities has a number of benefits for telecom operators, including:

• Improved reliability: By reducing dependence on commercial utilities, telecom operators have greater control over power supply and can improve the reliability of their networks, reducing the risk of outages.
• Reduced costs: Reducing reliance on commercial utilities and improving operational efficiency when outages do happen helps telecom operators reduce costs. Operational savings can be re-invested into other areas of the business.
• Increased sustainability: More and more, enterprises in highly-regulated economies must consider sustainability as part of their growth strategy. By using renewable energy sources and maximizing efficiency using AI, telecom operators can reduce their environmental impact.

Unfortunately, even with technological developments in line power supply solutions, telecoms rely heavily on commercial power. Using AI and automation improves operational efficiency and enhances the customer experience during off-network outages. Even when power does go down, an improved operational workflow results in fewer redundant tickets, a reduction in manual processes, and ultimately, more specific information delivered to critical customers with speed.