Ciena鈥檚 Francisco Sant鈥橝nna details why taking a holistic approach to network sustainability helps network operators achieve their sustainability goals and aspirations while also meeting accelerated network demands with profitability.
Sustainability continues to gain priority with network operators of all kinds, overland and undersea. It permeates every part of any business, but for communication service providers (CSPs), the network represents the largest source of carbon emissions and the greatest opportunities for reduction. While energy efficiency is an incontestably critical factor in network sustainability, CSPs can benefit from expanding their environmental stewardship by applying a green lens to all their network initiatives and processes.
Delivering more with less has been an underlying challenge in the networking industry for several decades. Growth in bandwidth has driven the digital economy forward and enabled new use cases that have boosted global productivity and overall well-being. However, it has come at the cost of constant network infrastructure investments by CSPs, who must balance modernization efforts with the need to keep costs and environmental footprint in check. The increased capacity often means higher power demand, intensifying the pressure to control energy consumption.
Technological innovations have allowed capacity growth with a massive decrease in cost per bit. In parts of the network, these innovations have also managed to keep power consumption at bay. A good example of that is the evolution of optical transport, where 花魁直播has developed coherent and photonic innovations that multiplied fiber capacity 35-fold while reducing power per bit by more than 95% from 2010 to 2024.
Beyond energy efficiency—networks that adapt and live longer
Network infrastructure is extremely complex and constantly evolving, featuring extensive coverage, multiple generations of technology, and intricate interdependencies. Although energy use is a critical piece of its environmental footprint, we also must consider materials and processes involved in equipment manufacturing and distribution, site construction and retrofitting, cooling systems, cable laying, truck rolls for field installations and operations, and all other upstream and downstream activities. Network operators are becoming increasingly attentive to these factors, integrating them into their network planning, modernization, and automation initiatives.
A key aspect of that expanded approach is to consider the lifecycle and longevity of network platforms. In the fast-paced, constantly evolving technology market, systems must be capable of adapting to shifting demand and requirements, so that they can live longer in the network without the need for premature replacement. This can be achieved by prioritizing scalability to increase bandwidth as applications evolve, convergence to address and combine diverse services in a single platform, and modularity to easily grow resources alongside demand. These three complementary dimensions of flexibility enable the infrastructure to support service evolution, ultimately reflecting in less hardware used, fewer site visits (and truck rolls), less waste, and better resource usage. By emphasizing these factors during the design phase, network planners can enhance sustainability while also boosting return on investment.
Leveraging efficient network operations
CSPs are also increasingly linking network sustainability with operational efficiency. Optimization tools empower operators to effectively utilize network resources, thereby reducing the necessity for new physical assets. Additionally, fault mitigation and accelerated troubleshooting solutions not only minimize unproductive site visits but may also decrease the need for excess spare and redundancy. Furthermore, orchestration and assurance approaches ensure that service levels and performance guarantees are met with optimal resource allocation across various layers and domains. Central to enabling these capabilities is multi-layer visibility into all network elements through a single pane of glass, enhanced by federated inventory systems spanning all vendors and technology generations.
The network automation journey is intrinsically synergistic with that of sustainability—for a deeper dive into this topic, refer to this . Operators can substantially benefit by encouraging collaboration among their teams responsible for these areas to explore mutual benefits.
Ultimately, weaving sustainability in every network decision is the path to maximize the outcomes of the sustainability journey.
Space, materials, and more
Network sustainability strategies should extend even further. Favoring compact and temperature-hardened network platforms helps minimize pressure on site infrastructure (cooling, power, space), avoiding costly and environmentally impactful site works and retrofitting. Assessing vendors’ environmental commitments and attention to materials and packaging also add to the picture. Ultimately, weaving sustainability in every network decision is the path to maximize the outcomes of the sustainability journey.
Cost or opportunity?
Accelerating this journey is also about mitigating obstacles, and there is no higher hindrance to sustainability than the myth that it costs more. It makes things easier when going green is also green, reducing costs from energy and operations and investments in equipment. With a more comprehensive network project analysis, network planners should be able to consistently demonstrate that environmental and financial sustainability can go hand in hand. In the end, they are both about efficiency, getting the most out of network resources and assets, and doing more with less. The challenge lies in capturing all indirect benefits and considering the entire lifecycle of network assets.
Collaboration sets the path forward
The drive towards network sustainability is an imperative for CSPs that should be embraced as a strategic opportunity. By adopting a holistic approach that encompasses energy efficiency, lifecycle management, optimized operations, and thoughtful design, operators can minimize their environmental impact while enhancing financial performance. Siloes must be broken to bring sustainability into every network planning and operation process, exploring synergies and transforming challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth. As changes in network demand and requirements continue to accelerate, especially in the context of radical AI-driven transformations to businesses and digital life, CSPs will be even more challenged to deliver more with less. Expanding practices on network sustainability will be critical to achieve it and thrive.
At Ciena, we are not only committed to our sustainability goals, but also to helping our CSP customers achieve their own aspirations and make a positive impact in the world and in the markets they serve. Let’s discuss how we can make a greater difference together!