The project titled "Energy Power Saving Requirements, Test Plan, and Data Model," from the Broadband Forum's Fiber Access Networks (FAN) working area, will incorporate these new energy-saving requirements into several Broadband Forum standards and specifications for industry adoption. This builds upon ITU-T Supplement 45 to the G series, which published recommendations and guidelines on energy savings in passive optical network (PON) equipment.

“The energy efficiency of fixed broadband equipment is essential to reducing energy costs and CO2 emissions for operators and their customers. As demand for high-speed connectivity increases, it is crucial that FTTH networks operate sustainably, ensuring that connectivity empowers the end user while also protecting the planet,” stated Hugues Le Bras, Fixed Access Network Engineer at Orange and Editor of the project. “To achieve this, the new project outlines the energy-saving requirements, energy metering monitoring, and testing methods needed to unlock greater energy efficiency.”.

"We need service providers to commit to reducing energy consumption, equipment and component suppliers to meet these targets, and testing laboratories to verify the interoperability and functionality of the energy-saving methodologies specific to each protocol once they have been agreed upon," Le Bras continued.

The project, which will publish its specification in the summer of 2025, will foster the development of technologies that meet the energy-saving requirements, the testing plan, and the data model it establishes. A key aspect is the development of energy-saving functionality for Optical Network Units (ONUs) and Optical Line Terminals (OLTs). Although FTTH networks offer greater energy efficiency than traditional copper networks, ONUs typically consume a considerable amount of power, both when active and idle, which can lead to energy leaks.

The scope of work will include ONU power reduction, which involves reducing the power of non-essential functions while ensuring an operational optical link, and monitored sleep modes, which ensure that only relevant hardware remains powered on.