Fiber service providers have received a major boost in their efforts to build more energy-efficient networks, thanks to a new initiative launched by the Broadband Forum. Led by key industry players including BT Group, Orange, Calix, Futurewei, Huawei, and Nokia, the project aims to reduce energy consumption in fiber networks used to access the internet.
Titled “Energy Power Saving Requirements, Test Plan, and Data Model,” the project, part of the Broadband Forum’s Fiber Access Network (FAN) Work Area, will integrate new energy-saving requirements into industry standards and specifications. This initiative builds on the ITU-T Supplement 45, G series, which provides guidelines for power-saving in Passive Optical Networks (PON) equipment.
“Energy efficiency in fixed broadband equipment is essential to reducing power costs and CO2 emissions for both operators and their customers,” said Hugues Le Bras, Network Engineer in Fixed Access Networks at Orange and Editor of the project. “As demand for high-speed connectivity grows, it is critical that FTTH networks operate sustainably, benefiting both users and the environment. This project sets out power-saving requirements, monitoring, and testing methods needed to achieve that goal.”
Le Bras emphasized the need for service providers to commit to energy reduction targets, vendors to comply with new standards, and test labs to ensure interoperability and the effectiveness of the power-saving protocols. The project is expected to publish its specification by summer 2025 and will encourage the development of technologies that meet the outlined energy-saving criteria.
A key focus is enhancing the power-saving functionality of Optical Network Units (ONUs) and Optical Line Terminals (OLTs). While FTTH networks are generally more energy-efficient than older copper networks, ONUs still consume significant power even when idle, leading to potential energy waste.
To address this, the project will explore ONU power shedding—reducing power for non-essential functions while maintaining an operational optical link—and watchful sleep modes, which ensure only necessary hardware remains active.
“The fiber industry is continuously seeking ways to improve energy efficiency,” said Marta Seda, FAN Work Area Director at Broadband Forum and representative of Calix. “By incorporating these energy-saving recommendations into Broadband Forum standards, service providers will have a clear framework for reducing their carbon footprint and enhancing network sustainability.
