Kuwaiti mobile telecommunications company Zain Group and Ericsson have announced the extension of their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate sustainability initiatives focused on building energy-efficient networks. The collaboration aims to support Zain Group's operating entities in reducing their environmental footprint and transitioning to Net Zero.
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Background of the Collaboration
Since their initial agreement in 2023, Zain said that Ericsson has outlined strategies to break the energy curve by establishing baselines for energy consumption and carbon emissions on Zain's live networks. Utilising energy meter counters, the companies have measured actual energy usage, yielding significant results.
Key Achievements in Energy Reduction
In Bahrain, Zain has deployed Ericsson's lightweight 5G solution, the Massive MIMO antenna-integrated radio AIR 3268, which has led to an 18 percent reduction in energy consumption.
Zain also conducted a trial of Ericsson's energy optimisation software features in select areas, resulting in a 35 percent reduction in radio site energy consumption. This showcases the potential for scalable energy efficiency solutions within the network infrastructure, the official release said.
Additionally, Zain Bahrain has modernised 80 sites with the Ericsson Enclosure 6150, achieving a 50 percent decrease in carbon emissions.
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Fostering Best Practices
To foster innovation and best practices, a dedicated forum was established, facilitating discussions on energy efficiency and decarbonisation through joint workshops, the official release said.
Looking ahead, the renewed MoU will focus on implementing advanced 5G radios and intelligent operations to further lower Zain's carbon footprint and enhance energy efficiency. The collaboration will also leverage Ericsson's global Product Take-Back Program to ensure responsible e-waste disposal and recycling.
