Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) today announced that it 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 2007 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 months or years to connect or finally, where electricity tariffs are expected to rise sharply in the next few years. Once installed, the cost of power is almost zero, and wind and solar powered cell sites require minimal maintenance unlike a diesel driven generator which generally requires, at a minimum, a monthly visit for refueling and they can also be heavily prone to theft. This translates into added savings in operating expenditure (OPEX), a key factor to emerging market network operators.
Mr. José Ferreira, managing director of MTC Namibia said, “We are confident that this trial will support our market growth strategy and enable us to extend our network coverage into the more rural parts of Namibia - where electricity is not always a viable option - quickly, efficiently and with a reliable solution. Motorola’s innovation and design expertise will enable wind and solar solutions to be deployed in an optimal format for wireless cellular networks.”
Dawn Hartley, development fund manager at the GSMA said: “Off-grid connectivity is a key challenge for Operators, in particular in developing world markets, and until cost-effective, practical solutions are commonplace, the digital divide will persist. The GSMA is therefore committed to piloting alternative energies for powering base stations, and we are delighted to be involved in this trial in Namibia.”
Stefano Mattiello, regional sales director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Motorola Networks & Enterprise, said “Motorola’s heritage in innovative communication networks is being applied in optimizing this type of solution for rural areas and it’s very exciting that we have the first trial anywhere in the world here in Africa. The solution will successfully combine with other power optimization features for GSM cell sites that are currently in development and although the trial is being done on a GSM network the technology can be applied to any wireless network in an off-grid scenario.”
This announcement 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 1,200 watts in a continual cycle; enough to drive a mid-sized BTS and support a microwave backhaul installation.
Powering GSM cell sites in both developed and emerging markets is a challenge for operators because of the high cost or difficulty of provisioning mains electrical power. Motorola’s green-powered BTS, part of the company’s Reach GSM portfolio, can replace or reduce the load on mains power and can also remove the need for power generators that require continual re-fueling and security.
To experience Motorola’s alternative power solutions at 3GSM World Congress please visit booth number AV09, outside Hall 8.
About Motorola
Motorola is known around the world for innovation and leadership in wireless and broadband communications. Inspired by our vision of seamless mobility, the people of Motorola are committed to helping you connect simply and seamlessly to the people, information and entertainment that you want and need. We do this by designing and delivering "must have" products, "must do" experiences and powerful networks -- along with a full complement of support services. A Fortune 100 company with global presence and impact, Motorola had sales of US $42.9 billion in 2006. For more information about our company, our people and our innovations, please visit http://www.motorola.com.
About GSMA Development Fund
The GSMA's Development Fund was set up in October 2005 to catalyse the role of mobile technology in social, economic and environmental development. Working with the mobile industry, the development community and governments, the Fund seeks to identify innovative ideas for development that are scalable and sustainable on a global level. By focusing on practical implementation, the Development Fund and its partners create unique knowledge and experience of the role and potential of mobile technology in development. For more information please visit: http://www.gsmworld.com/developmentfund/index.shtml
About MTC Namibia
MTC (Mobile Telecommunications Limited) was established in 1995 as a joint venture between Namibia Post and Telecommunications Holdings (NPTH), Telia and Swedfund. During May 2004, NPTH concluded a deal that saw it hold 100 per cent of the shares in MTC by acquiring the 49 per cent held by Telia Overseas AB and Swedfund International AB. NPTH is 100 per cent owned by the Government of the Republic of Namibia. On 1 September 2006 the sale of 34% of MTC shares to a strategic/technical partner were concluded with Portugal Telecom which also holds the management contract.
