GSMA Energy Efficiency Methodology Incorporated in ITU's New Global Standard

HONG KONG, November 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Mobile Asia Congress -- The GSMA's Mobile Energy Efficiency Benchmarking methodology has been recognised in a global standard by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The GSMA's methodology, which benchmarks the energy efficiency of mobile networks, is included in the ITU's standard ITU-T L.1410 'Methodology for Environmental Impact Assessment of ICT Goods, Networks and Services'. The GSMA developed its methodology as part of the Mobile Energy Efficiency (MEE) Network Benchmarking service, launched a year ago at Mobile Asia Congress 2010. MEE has now been adopted by 35 mobile network operators who run more than 200 networks across 145 countries.

"The recognition of our methodology in a global standard is a testament to the outstanding collaboration the GSMA has with its members and other stakeholders such as the ITU and European Commission," said Gabriel Solomon, Head of Regulatory Policy, GSMA. "We have developed a unique management tool that mobile operators are using to identify energy and carbon saving opportunities."

"We are delighted with the timely outcome of a complex process. The ITU maintains a first-rate working relationship with the GSMA, and many other partners, aimed at achieving a definitive set of methodologies to measure the environmental impact of ICTs," said Mr. Malcolm Johnson, Director, ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau.

To leverage the results of the MEE Benchmarking service, the GSMA has launched a new service, MEE Optimisation, which undertakes a detailed bottom-up analysis to identify and assess the inefficiencies of a network, to then provide operators with a cost-benefit analysis of specific solutions that can be considered to improve network energy efficiency. The MEE Optimisation service develops detailed action plans aimed at reducing operators' energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. To do this, the GSMA partners with third parties such as equipment vendors to deliver the MEE Optimisation service to operators. The GSMA is currently piloting the first MEE Optimisation project and is in discussions with several members about rolling out the service more widely.

More information is available at: http://www.gsmworld.com/mee or contactmee@gsm.org

About the GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Spanning more than 220 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world's mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organisations. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as the Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Congress.

For more information, please visit Mobile World Live, the online portal for the mobile communications industry, at http://www.mobileworldlive.com or the GSMA corporate website at http://www.gsmworld.com.