scope:

This Recommendation aims to provide a better understanding of the energy efficiency of mobile networks in particular considering the networks' evolution in different periods of time. The focus of this Recommendation is on metrics for energy efficiency and methods of assessing (and measuring) energy efficiency in operational networks.

This Recommendation defines the topology and level of analysis needed to assess the energy efficiency.

The analysis includes radio base stations, backhauling systems, radio controllers (RCs) and other infrastructure radio site equipment. The technologies involved are global system for mobile communication (GSM), universal mobile telecommunications service (UMTS), long term evolution (LTE) and 5G New Radio (NR).

Aiming to also consider the slicing approach of the networks from 5G onwards, the metrics are extended to the latency of the network itself versus the energy consumed, in addition to the metrics based on traffic and on coverage, already existing for legacy networks that are still valid.

Both homogeneous and heterogeneous networks are considered, whose size and scale could be defined by topologic, geographic or demographic boundaries. An example of a network defined by topologic boundaries consists of a control node (whenever applicable), its supported access nodes and related network elements. Networks could also be defined by geographic boundaries, such as city-wide, national or continental, or they could be defined by demographic boundaries, such as urban or rural networks.

This Recommendation also applies to so-called "partial" networks, for which a measurement method is also recommended. The specification extends the measurements made in partial networks to the wider, so-called "total" network energy efficiency estimation, such as the network in a geographical area, the network in an entire country or the network of a mobile network operator (MNO).

Terminal (end-user) equipment is outside the scope of this Recommendation and is not considered in the energy efficiency measurement.