Press Release
SMART tops operators worldwide for wind-powered cell sites: GSMA survey
[October 8, 2008/Manila] - Smart Communications Inc. (SMART) is the leader among mobile network operators worldwide in using wind energy to power its cell sites. This was revealed in a GSMA Development Fund survey of 25 mobile operators across the developing world that use renewable energy sources.
“Based on our research, SMART is the most advanced mobile network operator globally in terms of wind-powered base transceiver stations. Among the leading mobile network operators we surveyed for our Green Power for Mobile programme, SMART emerged as the operator that has most extensively deployed stand-alone wind-powered cell sites,” said GSMA Development Fund Director Dawn Haig-Thomas.
By end of the year, there will be 74 Smart cell sites in different areas across the country powered by renewable energy. Of this figure, 47 are run by wind energy while 27 are hybrid -- using both wind and solar energy.
“SMART is happy to be part of this effort which aims to advance the use of renewable energy sources to power off-grid base stations. As the Philippines' leading wireless services provider, we recognize that this initiative is the right thing to do from both a business and environmental standpoint. We hope more telecom operators will join this effort to reduce carbon emissions and promote more climate-friendly practices,” said SMART President & CEO Napoleon L. Nazareno.”
“We are encouraged by the results of the GSMA Development Fund survey as we continue to explore ways to adopt and implement environment-friendly measures in our operations,” said SMART Public Affairs Group Head Ramon R. Isberto. “The use of alternative energy sources to power cell sites is just one measure SMART is taking to respond to the global call to reduce greenhouse emissions that cause climate change, which ultimately does harm to the environment,” he added.
SMART Network Services Division Group Head Mario Tamayo said that 50 more eco-friendly base stations are scheduled for deployment next year “as part of Smart’s efforts to maximize the use of available natural resources.”
SMART deployed the country’s first wind-powered cell site in 2006 in Malapascua Island, Cebu.
Renewable energy sources now serve as a reliable, efficient and economic alternative to fuel in powering generator sets used for cell sites in remote locations. The benefits of using renewable energy sources are seen in reduced operational costs, even as SMART is able to increase voice and data coverage in areas which are beyond the reach of electricity power grids.
The GSMA Development Fund was founded in 2005 to identify and implement new uses for mobile communications to help people with limited access. One of its focus areas is energy and the Development Fund has just launched a Green Power for Mobile programme, to provide mobile operators with expertise to support the deployment of base stations that use renewable energy. @
Captions: Left photo shows the wind-powered cell site in Camotes Island in Cebu.
