Based on data collected since its “energy-saving” feature embedded in its hardware was introduced in November 2023, NBN Co expects to save 1.3GWh of power annually, which may bring energy to 200 Australian homes.

NBN Co credits its energy-saving consumption to Ericsson’s equipment supported by Microsleep Tx software on its 2,400 fixed wireless towers across rural and regional areas.

Aside from reducing environmental impact, Ericsson head of ANZ Emilio Romeo says the software will “create operational cost savings, enabling NBN Co to focus on meeting the growing needs of homes and businesses in regional Australia.”

NBN Co chief technology officer wireless networks Jason Ashton says the company reduces the power consumption of the fixed wireless network in the middle of the night when customer usage is low.

This allows the company to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Radio unit transmitters on the fixed wireless towers are flipped into sleep mode when they are not active, reducing network energy consumption,” NBN Co said in a statement.

“As the radio components can switch on again in microseconds, network performance is not compromised.”