Vodafone has announced that it is working on self-powered mobile towers that will help it meet its net zero goals and get people in the most remote locations connected to the internet as the towers don’t need to be connected to the electric grid. Vodafone has worked with Crossflow Energy to build the towers and will work with Cornerstone to run a proof of concept trial with the towers.
The new towers use wind, solar, and battery power in conjunction to ensure they stay online. What’s more, is that the turbines have been constructed as not to pose a danger to birds. This last point is important because threatened birds will be in the areas that these towers are put up so it’s important they don’t get hurt.
Commenting on the new technology, Andrea Dona, Chief Network Officer, Vodafone UK, said:
“We are committed to improving rural connectivity, but this comes with some very significant challenges. Connecting masts to the energy grid can be a major barrier to delivering this objective, so making these sites self-sufficient is a huge step forward for us and for the mobile industry.”
Now that Vodafone and Crossflow Energy have built some of these masts, Vodafone will work with Cornerstone to start deploying them in certain areas for a test run; this should happen before the year’s out. The mobile network industry has committed itself to cover 95% of the UK by 2025 so having these self-sufficient masts will help deliver the Shared Rural Network.