Comcast Seeks to Combat Sustainability Challenges with Data
As streaming, cloud computing and digital services continue to expand worldwide, data centres and telecommunications networks are having a considerable impact on the environment.
The challenge of measuring and reducing energy use across these sectors has led to multiple industry initiatives, including the European Commission’s introduced Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact, while major cloud providers have announced carbon reduction targets.
The telecommunications sector has previously lacked standardised measurement frameworks for network energy efficiency - a gap that is now being addressed by the SCTE (Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers). The organisation consists of multiple leading companies, including Comcast, which is working to introduce standards for measuring the energy efficiency of networks.
The initiative has been proposed as data centres face pressure to reduce power consumption as emerging technologies like AI continue to boom. Providing these services requires substantial compute, which inevitably increases energy consumption across critical network infrastructure.
Ryan Capone, VP of Network Facilities & Energy at Comcast, says: “Connectivity and energy go hand in hand. We continue to invest in energy solutions that can power the fastest, most reliable network capable of meeting the future needs of our customers.”
Creating a new framework
The new SCTE standard aims to establish protocols for tracking network traffic volumes and energy consumption metrics. It provides methodologies for calculating energy intensity ratios that combine power usage with network traffic data.
It also seeks to enable telecommunications providers to measure efficiency using standardised metrics, supporting comparison across different network architectures.
This standardisation allows operators to benchmark performance and identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.
- Guidance for intensity metrics, combining energy data (e.g., electricity consumption) with activity data (e.g., network traffic in bytes)
- A consistent approach to measuring and reporting energy performance
- Tools for companies to assess and improve their network energy efficiency
Specific guidance will be introduced as part of the plans for measuring network traffic in bytes, reflecting the primary service metric delivered to customers. It includes protocols for measuring energy consumption across distributed network infrastructure, including edge facilities and customer premises equipment.
Derek DiGiacomo, Senior Director of Energy Management Programs & Business Continuity at SCTE, says: “Everyone can see how broadband connectivity is transforming how we live, work, learn and play. What they might not see is how broadband connectivity is doing it with increasing efficiency.”
Driving network energy reductions
Leading companies in the sector are already taking steps to improve their energy efficiency, including Comcast, which has set a goal to double its network energy efficiency by 2030.
The virtualisation of network functions, a key element of Comcast's efficiency strategy, enables operators to consolidate multiple network services onto standard server hardware. This reduces the number of purpose-built network appliances required in data centres and network facilities.
- Virtual and cloud-based technologies for network management
- More energy-efficient data centre designs
- Improvements in network hardware and infrastructure
Whilst this new standard marks a shift in thinking, it also highlights the intricate balance between escalating data demand and needing to advance sustainability.
Cloud gaming services in particular are presenting particular challenges for network operators. While these services reduce the need for energy-intensive gaming hardware in homes, they increase power demands in data centres and network infrastructure.
The standard addresses these challenges by providing metrics for measuring energy consumption across hybrid infrastructure combining traditional and virtualised network elements. It includes methodologies for quantifying power usage in network elements including routers, switches and transmission equipment.
Derek adds: “Thanks to Comcast's leadership in our standards development team, the SCTE standard will enable the visibility we need to continue to drive positive efficiency advancements across the industry.”
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