The survey yielded informative results as well as validated Emerson’s approach to help operators strike a balance between reliability, efficiency and best cost. The survey also highlighted the opportunity for system-wide monitoring and maintenance service to further enhance telco operations.

Interesting insights include:

• Majority of respondents choose Emerson rectifiers – the respondents own multiple rectifier brands in their DC power systems. Majority of respondents deployed power rectifiers from Emerson Network Power. The rest of the brands present in their ecosystem are Eltek, Delta, Lineage, Argus, Siemens, Eaton and ZTE.
• DC power system performance plummets as devices age – the respondents agree that DC power systems deteriorate as components age. They start experiencing frequent rectifier failures when the system reaches between 5 and 10 years old. According to respondents, the highest failure rates happen when the system is between 10 and 15 years old, after which they eventually replace the system.
• Centralize monitoring top choice for sensing failures – Over half of respondents use system-wide monitoring systems to detect rectifier failures and only a fraction either outsource or managed in-house. Majority of respondents replace failed rectifiers within 24-48 hours.
• Preventive maintenance also key to system reliability – Majority of respondents rely on preventive maintenance visits to service the equipment. During these visits, a range of activities are conducted including checking the battery, cleaning the model, recalibrating and resetting the stabs on the plug.
• Reliability and efficiency are primary considerations for purchasing power rectifiers – reliability and efficiency were the top considerations for power rectifier purchases by all respondents. These were followed by costs and support.
• Energy cost savings also a consideration - energy cost savings came out as one of the leading considerations probably because telecom providers across the globe are facing higher cost and environmental challenges due to increased power consumption.
• Operational cost savings to drive infrastructure sharing – respondents said that they are either considering or currently having infrastructure-sharing contracts with other telco carriers to reduce operational costs.
• Unavailability of the grid to drive alternative energy – One of the key drivers for considering investments in alternative sources of energy is unavailability of the grid due to physical remoteness of the sites.

Aside from key findings, the IDC case study provides essential guidelines/ suggestions for the telecom industry to discuss and address. Click here to download the full study.