Vanuatu, a South Pacific archipelago is the site of a green power mobile network built by Digicel mobile phone company.  Power will be generated from a combination of wind and solar power.  Twenty-five base stations will be scattered through out the region.

The Global System for Mobile communications Association (GSMA) announced that Digicel, a mobile network provider in the South Pacific, has finished the second phase of it’s green power initiative.  Now 60% of Digicel’s business is powered by green energy.

GSMA is providing funding for the project through its GSMA development fund. 

The GSMA represents the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry. Spanning 219 countries, the GSMA unites more than 750 of the world’s mobile operators, as well as 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organizations.

These base stations are operating off the grid.  Formerly, Digicel powered these base stations with diesel fuel generators.  With fluctuating fuel prices, the operating costs of the base stations varied widely and made it difficult to budget.  These generators also spewed carbon dioxide into the air.

The new solar and wind powered base stations are better for the environment and don’t carry any fuel costs.  Except for construction costs and regular maintenance, both of which would be present in the old style generators, the company doesn’t have to rely on outside fuel sources.

By using green energy for off grid base stations, Digicel is able to reach remote areas of Vanuatu that would be too expensive to reach otherwise.  This allows these cut off communities to connect with the outside world.

Digicel has other networks around the world where alternative energy to power base stations can be implemented.  The successful installation of the green energy powered base stations in Vanuatu can be used as a model for future installations and as a means of providing mobile service in other remote parts of the world.

The use of wind and solar powered base stations cuts down on noxious emissions from diesel fuel powered generators while providing coverage in areas that were formerly inaccessible.

Related:

Entry was posted on Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 at 6:28 pm under Green Technology.

Read more entries by Susan Wilson.
Stumble It!