Alternative power GSM cell site trial

7 March 2007 News

Motorola has signed an agreement with the GSM Association (GSMA) and MTC Namibia to conduct a trial for wind and solar power systems to support the African operator’s remote GSM cell sites.

This is the first customer-based trial globally and the trial is expected to run from April to July 2007.

The trial involves the installation of the Motorola wind and solar solution at an operational MTC Namibia cell site where the solution will become the electrical power source for the site. The cell site will remain a part of MTC Namibia's current wireless network and continue to carry the same levels of traffic.

This 'green' solution provides a feasible and efficient alternative to using fuel generators when a main grid connection is not available or it will take a long time to connect. Once installed, the cost of power is almost zero, and wind and solar powered cell sites require minimal maintenance unlike a diesel driven generator. This translates into added savings in operating expenditure (OPEX), a key factor to emerging market network operators.

This trial follows Motorola's successful UK trial in 2006 which demonstrated the feasibility of alternative power systems to support remote GSM base stations (BTS). The trial concluded that a combination of solar cells and wind turbines can generate 1200 W in a continual cycle; enough to drive a mid-sized BTS and support a microwave backhaul installation.

For more information see www.motorola.com, www.gsmworld.com/developmentfund and www.mtc.com.na

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