WiMAX & LTE are Enablers of the Green Economy

ARTICLE

WiMAX & LTE are Enablers of the Green Economy

By Robert Syputa, Senior Analyst
Contact the author at robert@maravedis-bwa.com

Responsible governments and corporations are increasingly seeking ways to reduce societal and their own environmental impact. The awakening of concerns about global warming are heightened by rapidly rising demand for fossil fuels in countries including China and India that offset reductions expected from the impact of higher oil prices in western economies.

Enterprises and individuals help to reduce use of increasingly costly and ecologically damaging fossil fuels while maintaining high standards of living by organizing transports and other activities around communications. The missing link in achieving both the productivity and enterprise organization goals of Business and Government 2.0 has been the immediacies and richness of personal broadband communications. While there is no ‘magic bullet’ but rather development of both better conservation methods and many alternatives sources of energy, low cost and rich wireless communications can play a contributory to a central role in a multitude of efforts. What should also be clear is that in an age in which a large percentage of workers in modern societies are engaged in information/knowledge occupations and entertainment is increasingly mobile, great opportunity is developing for the role that the next generation of wireless should play. Of immediate importance is the use of wireless to enable the shift from travel to immersive communications and make use of transport more efficiently.

It should also become apparent that always-on universal broadband communications provides new ways to monitor and control power, people and operations that can have a significant positive ecological impact. What is exciting is that this new age of communications provides ways to both enrich enterprise and personal lifestyles at the same time that it favorably impacts the environment and provides health, and other tangible benefits. While the focus is to reduce ecological impacts, often the best way to accomplish the task is through growth of new products and services that enhance rather than restrict profits and are attractive to the public.

It is difficult to write a short article on a subject that is embryonic and that covers such a wide range of industry and government domains and potential actions as is the case for Green communications. Therefore, we will provide an outline and some reference points to consider. We invite members of the industry and government to participate.

Some Ways NG Unified Communications can Enable the Green Economy

‘Seat to the street’ connectedness to office resources and personal communications. Always-on broadband connectivity bridges the gap in personal communications between people and locations and creates new possibilities for business and government.

Telecommuting: Only 12% of information workers currently telecommute 2 or more days per week. Estimates range as much as 70% of people is engaged in information work in developed countries. The most common reason given in surveys among those not participating is lack of the same resources as found in the office.
Remote workers could avoid coming into central locations if access and operating methods provided access and input of office resources in the field.

Transportation demand management: Resources can be better managed to suit demand.
Always-connected populace with self-organizing, viral adoption SaaS (Software as a Service) for access to public and private transportation. Early examples of user organized ride sharing are seen in Boston, Washington D.C. ‘slug lines’. Subscriptions to vehicle sharing services that have sprung up in many cities are another example. These can be greatly enhanced and extended with GPS-mapping, location and ‘see-me, follow-me’ services.
Power grid monitoring and control: Costs can be lowered and services made more efficient by more extensive monitoring, demand scheduling and control of power plant transmissions and loads ( enabled by lower cost, unified communications).
Conferencing and collaboration services: ‘Everywhere’ rich media communications provides more opportunities to shift from travel to centralized to location-based services. Greater collaboration between organizations and individuals is made feasible and replaces and enhances many operations and functions including sales, maintenance, insurance settlement, appraisals, advertising, and social work.
Home and business power monitoring and peak demand load shedding.
Reduced power used in IT and networking through distribution of resources.

These are among many ways that next generation unified, personal broadband communications can be harnessed to help reduce the reliance on and improve the efficiency of transportation and power consumption. ,

Among the tasks facing the industry is encouraging creativity to develop new ways to shift information-based work and entertainment from requiring travel to a greater degree of collaboration and engagement between people and information. Leading industry organizations, such as the WCAI (Wireless Communications Association International) have begun committees to provide a forum for Green communications efforts.

WCA Green Technology Task Force: http://wcai.com/taskf_green_technology.php

Green4G Communications Organization: http://www.green4g.com

For more information you can contact the author. robert@maravedis-bwa.com