Consumers expect network reliability – period. If customers’ power goes out, service providers are flooded with queries about how quickly it will return, rather than what happened to disrupt the service. More often than not, the “why” behind a power outage depends on a force outside of a service provider’s control: an anomaly caused by a lightning strike, increased single-point utility demand, or utility switch. However, to maintain their reputations for attentive service, providers need to assume responsibility for such events and prove they can restore clean, reliable, uninterrupted power to their customers in any scenario.
To make this level of reliable network power a reality, service providers need to consider powering trends driving the industry today, as well as the requirements for outside network plant communication power systems. Below are a few ways to transform such requirements into business plans.
Power Needs and Traditional Reliability Rules Are Changing
Voice, video, and data carriers are bundling their communication services offerings more than ever, and power networks are increasing to accommodate the new loads. As a result, per-subscriber network requirements are growing by six to eight watts or more. Network power density is increasing, as well, meaning service providers are playing by new rules as they work to maintain network reliability.
Strategic Backup with Generators and Batteries
Whether they’re driven by strategic importance, vulnerability to utility outages or other factors, power installations will occasionally require extended backup time – and service providers must be prepared to deliver. Internal or remote backup generators can be integrated when possible, and battery backup can complement natural gas or propane to help achieve reliability. In these cases, service providers can optimize battery life by using them to support backup during short outages, while bringing full engine generators online for extended use.
UPS-Grade Power Requirements
Today’s wireless services depend on uninterrupted digital transmission traffic. Customers use data, internet, and phones at all times, and UPS-grade power can maintain reliable, ongoing service for each. Service providers should be sure that each network’s power components meet the system’s evolving needs, especially as networks scale and introduce new service offerings.
Prioritize Battery Performance
When a network goes down, batteries kick in – and if service providers selected batteries with factors other than performance in mind, an outage might put business in serious trouble. Before core systems become involved, batteries defend against outages and failures by delivering steady power to systems across the environment.
Gel cell batteries prove to uphold long life spans with safe application and reliable performance throughout. They’re also designed specifically for outside plant communications, meaning service providers won’t need to go out of their way to meet requirements.
Avoid a (Fully) DIY Approach to System Maintenance
Power systems require maintenance, no matter how advanced they become. However, a well-designed system anticipates its maintenance needs, reducing costs in the long run. Hot-swappable and modular components can reduce the instances of disruptions, upgrades, and repairs. By avoiding these processes, no matter how painless they may seem, service providers can cut per-unit spending and redirect funds toward new infrastructure and services. Providers can also reduce maintenance headaches further by working with system components that are easily removed and replaced without affecting backup capability or power levels.
Powering trends dictate the future of the network reliability that customers know and expect. By understanding and anticipating industry changes, service providers can design and deliver solutions that give their customers connectivity – no matter what.
Dean Tryon is the product manager at Alpha Technologies, a designer and manufacturer of power technology products. With more than 23 years in the power and electronics industry, Tryon has held previous engineering roles in manufacturing, sustaining, testing, and finally as an application engineer. Dean is a member of SCTE, and part of the 2020 Energy Metrics, Data Collection & Reporting Committee, responsible for defining energy metrics for facilities, outside plant, fleet, non-grid, financial, and an overall company metric.
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