FROM THE INDUSTRY
and they use quasi-square wave, which gives you better transmission of the power over the network. We looked into ways in which we could reduce down the copper transmission losses, and we came up with a solution. A common complaint was “If only we could use DC,” because DC is 20% more efficient than AC. So, we came up with a system called Access Smart Power (ASP), which again saves 30% of the electrical power. We’re trialling ASP with three different operators now, as it fundamentally reduces down the electrical power consumption on that network. Even a 20-year-old network can lower the power consumption using this technique. Then there is our one-touch equipment. Install it, set it up, and then everything is software-controlled remotely, so you only have to touch it once. The only time you would ever have to go and visit again is for break-fix maintenance, like if it’s damaged by storms or floods. So again, that’s saving fuel, labour and cost. You have a very pragmatic approach. Everything is about getting more for less. Whether you believe in global warming or you don’t, you’re saving fuel and hence OpEx money. The only thing we all know for certain is that energy is getting more expensive. Do you have a philosophy you live by in this business? Ultimately, it’s about creating disruptive solutions, to be the R&D department for our customers and help them progress their business as the market matures. That’s the key. It’s not remarkable to have broadband, everybody’s got that now, but it’s actually making it as a system that can be maintained over a long period of time.
ten times that globally, and into mobile, which is probably 30 to 50 times that. One of our strategic directions is to find niche areas where we can grow stronger. Tell me about your sustainability initiatives. We have got much lighter on packaging, trying to cram more into a space so that you use less diesel transporting things around. We’ve saved quite a few tons on plastics recycling. But I think there were breakthroughs over the last three years, actually what I call real sustainability, not sham sustainability things. Because a lot of the sustainability goals are just really showy virtue signalling. Our network amplifiers and nodes, the latest DOCSIS 4.0 capable ones, which are broader bandwidth, they actually all take 30% less electrical power than the previous generation DOCSIS 3.1 compatible equipment. Hence, upgrading to that will reduce down their network power consumption? Exactly - for a cable broadband operator, something like between 50-70% of the electricity bill is running the access network. Networks are generally driven by AC network power, which is very safe. It is easy to get off the mains network,
“Then there is our one-touch equipment. Install it, set it up, and then everything is software- controlled remotely, so you only have to touch it once. The only time you would ever have to go
www.technetix.com
and visit again is for break-fix
maintenance, like if it’s damaged by storms or floods.”
42
Volume 46 No.2 MAY 2024
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online