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MAKING NETWORK OPTIMISATION AND
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYNONYMOUS
Col lectively, Celcom and XL serve over 58 mil lion
customers. With population coverage of over 95% and
90% respectively, these two OpCos have the largest
networks within the Group. Their work in network
optimisation and environmental management carries
significant impact not only on Axiata’s operations but
also on its total environmental footprint. Both OpCos
have made great strides in modernising their networks to
help the Group reduce its carbon footprint and improve
energy efficiency.
Infrastructure Sharing for Energy and Cost Saving
In 2010, Celcom entered into a long-term network and
infrastructure collaboration with DiGi Telecommunications
Sdn Bhd, a Telenor company, in Malaysia. The collaboration
focuses on three areas, namely operat ions and
maintenance, transmission and site sharing, and radio
access network. The infrastructure sharing model is
geared towards generating significant operational
efficiencies for both operators. As of end 2012, the two
companies jointly shared 150 sites. 250 more sites are
planned for 2013.
By removing duplication of base station sites, optimising
deployment of base stations per area, and redeploying
equipment between redundant and new sites, Axiata is
reducing its energy consumption and with that, reducing
our carbon footprint.
Within the Group, a similar agreement has also been
entered into in Bangladesh between Axiata and Telenor
Asia, through their respective operating companies, Robi
and Grameenphone. The move s ignal s Axiata’ s
commitment to explore initiatives regarding network
resources collaboration in Asia that could bring long-term
significance in cost savings and environmental benefits.
Green Technologies at XL to Achieve Balance
between Network Reach against Environmental
Impact
Since 2010, XL has spent significant capex in modernising
and expanding its network to cater to the rapidly
increasing demand for data which grew by 50% in 2012
alone. In balancing its network reach and capacity with
its environmental impact, XL has opted to rollout power
saving green base stations and explore the use of
renewable resources as part of its network enhancement
strategy.
At the end of 2012, more than 2000 new green base
stations were added to XL’s network. The deployment
has helped XL save up to 50% in electricity consumption.
By using renewable energy through Charge Discharge
Battery (CDC), XL reduced the use of generators to only
11 hours a day. In 2012, XL added 33 CDC sites and 4717
sites using power grid (PLN) instead of battery.
By adopting these technologies, XL has effectively
lowered its use of fossil fuels and reduced its carbon
footprint while streamlining its operations to be more
energy efficient.
M-Waste Recycling Programme at Dialog
The M-Waste Recycling Programme implemented in Sri
Lanka by Dialog, is an innovative and responsible initiative
that i l lustrates how our OpCos are refining their
sustainability practices. Unused mobile phones batteries
and battery chargers, as well as industrial base station
batteries, are brought to the company’s 125 collection
points. The collection is then sent to China for recycling.
Over 3000 units of M-Waste were collected in 2012.
Approximately 2.1 tonnes of M-Waste has already been
exported to China for recycling by Dialog.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT