Telecom major Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) announced that Optus, its wholly owned subsidiary, and regional mobile associates will participate in the GSMA's (News - Alert) Mobile Energy Efficiency (MEE) Benchmarking initiative. 

The exercise is expected to assist SingTel to create a benchmark for the group entities to ensure energy cost savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their network operations. 

Bharti Airtel (India and Africa), Advanced Info Service (Thailand), Globe Telecom (News - Alert) (Philippines), Optus (Australia), Pacific Bangladesh Telecom (Bangladesh), SingTel (Singapore), Telkomsel (Indonesia) and Warid (Pakistan) will be part of the initiative.

As part of the mobile energy benchmarking project, the companies will work with GSMA to benchmark their networks against industry peers. Using standard energy key performance indicators, the group companies will be able to deliver long term improvements.

"Energy efficiency is a strategic priority for the Group and is an important step towards the adoption of future renewable energy and building a sustainable operation,” said Hui Weng Cheong, SingTel (News - Alert) CEO International, in a statement. “This initiative also complements our regional Go-Green initiative to pave the way towards a greener future."

SingTel is planning to conduct this exercise annually and outcomes will be tracked regularly against the benchmarks.  

"With SingTel’s expansive reach in Asia and Africa, the SingTel Group will bring much valued inputs to our MEE Benchmarking,” said Tom Philips (News - Alert), chief regulatory officer, GSMA. “This collaboration also aligns with the mission of the GSMA's MEE organization in promoting the reduction of network energy costs and CO2 emissions for the benefit of mobile operators."

The result will help identify areas to raise power consumption efficiency. These include reviewing the design of radio access network architecture through techniques like free air cooling and insulation paint for base station shelter to improve the energy efficiency and accelerate adoption of renewable green energy solutions in these areas. 

Recently, SingTel tied up with U.K.-based ASR specialist, Novauris (News - Alert), to help develop a voice-driven app for meeting customer needs. With the new app called deF!ND users can get details of virtually any restaurant, shop or other business in Singapore by speaking its name.