Energy Consumption Effects of WiFi Off-Loading Access in 3G/LTE Public Wireless Networks

11 Pages Posted: 8 Sep 2012

See all articles by Louis-Francois Pau

Louis-Francois Pau

Copenhagen Business School (CBS); Rotterdam School of Management; L.M. Ericsson; GIBS

Date Written: September 7, 2012

Abstract

As 3G, HSPDA and already now LTE wireless networks become ever more pervasive, especially for wireless high data rate data and Internet traffic (>100 Mbps), increasing focus is given on ways to offload access by re-utilizing WiFi access points available in-doors (offices, homes), or installing such access points in/alongside high density of demand public areas (hot spots, public areas, road traffic lanes, etc. In view of the relative much higher WiFi access node power consumption and much smaller coverage compatible with interference reduction, the WiFi off-loading access may have a significant negative impact on energy consumption and emissions per user. Building on earlier extensive work on the modeling of 3G/LTE wireless infrastructure energy consumption on an incremental basis, this paper addresses the questions of the best mix between LTE cellular base stations and WiFi off-load access nodes from the energy/emissions perspective. Detailed sub-system model and design improvements are carried out on a continuous basis in collaboration with industry.

Keywords: Wireless networks, Energy savings, LTE, WiFi, WiFi off-load, Network planning, Traffic analysis, Hot spots, Community networks, CO2 emissions

JEL Classification: L96, Q4, L86

Suggested Citation

Pau, Louis-Francois, Energy Consumption Effects of WiFi Off-Loading Access in 3G/LTE Public Wireless Networks (September 7, 2012). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2143313 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2143313

Louis-Francois Pau (Contact Author)

Copenhagen Business School (CBS) ( email )

Solbjerg Plads 3
Frederiksberg C, DK - 2000
Denmark

Rotterdam School of Management ( email )

P.O. Box 1738
Room T08-21
3000 DR Rotterdam, 3000 DR
Netherlands

L.M. Ericsson ( email )

Kista
Sweden

GIBS ( email )

Lynnwood Road
Pretoria 5100, 0002
South Africa

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
262
Abstract Views
1,326
Rank
212,316
PlumX Metrics