AI to Cut Mobile Network Energy Use by 10%

A new research project will use artificial intelligence to cut the energy consumed by Luxembourg’s mobile infrastructure by at least 10%, while guaranteeing no loss of service quality for end users.

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) and Orange Luxembourg have launched RAISE — Radio Access Intelligence for Saving Energy. Backed by the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) and the Minister of the economy, the 36-month project will deploy AI across Orange Luxembourg’s nationwide network to cut electricity use, reduce carbon emissions and advance Luxembourg’s digital sustainability goals.

A network that never sleeps and consumes accordingly

Every time you make a call, stream a video or load a webpage on your phone, the signal passes through a network of antennas and transmitters spread across the country. These installations run around the clock, regardless of whether it is rush hour or the middle of the night. In fact, this part of the network, known as the Radio Access Network (RAN), accounts for more than three quarters of an operator’s entire electricity bill.

Until now, operators have had limited tools to adjust energy use in real time. RAISE aims to change that, by teaching the network to be smarter about when and how it uses energy. It also looks at future trends towards 6G, which promises way more complex RAN solutions and thus increased opportunities to optimise energy consumption

A virtual replica before any real-world risk

Before making any changes to Orange Luxembourg’s live network, the RAISE team will build a detailed virtual copy of it. This digital twin will let researchers test different energy-saving ideas safely: what happens if certain antennas are put into a low-power mode at night? Which frequency bands are the most efficient at a given time of day? The sandbox Full power will provide answers without any risk to users’ connections.

This digital twin will be fed with real data from Orange Luxembourg’s network: traffic figures updated frequently, electricity consumption readings from smart meters installed at each site, and technical performance logs. All data will be anonymized and handled in full compliance with European privacy rules.

“With RAISE, we are taking AI out of the simulation lab and putting it to work on one of the most energy-intensive parts of our daily digital lives. Using real data from a live operator is what makes the difference. It means the solutions we develop will actually work when deployed, not just in theory,” said Sébastien Faye, head of the Head of Distributed & Intelligent Connectivity Research Group at LIST.

What sets RAISE apart from generic solutions is the unique nature of Luxembourg itself. The AI models will be trained and tested on real-world conditions specific to the country: the sharp surge in mobile traffic during weekday rush hours driven by the large cross-border workforce, and the notably quieter weekends when that commuter population returns home. These patterns are unlike those of any other European country, and accounting for them is precisely what will make the solutions developed by RAISE both accurate and effective.

Artificial intelligence as a network manager The project will develop a set of AI tools, each with a specific job. One will predict how busy the network will be in the next 24 hours, much like a weather forecast, but for mobile traffic. Another will use those predictions to decide which antennas can be safely switched to a low-power state and when. A third will manage the batteries installed at some sites, charging them when electricity is cheap and drawing on them when demand peaks.

Together, these tools are expected to reduce electricity consumption by at least 10% across Orange Luxembourg’s network without users noticing any difference in their service.

“By leveraging artificial intelligence in collaboration with the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), we are optimizing our network management to reduce energy consumption by at least 10%, while ensuring an impeccable quality of service. This initiative reflects our commitment to a more responsible and sustainable digital future,” explained Christophe Van Yck, Head of Network & Strategic Projects, Orange Luxembourg.

The project runs until 2029 and is aligned with European goals to make the next generation of mobile networks significantly more energy-efficient.

About LIST

The Luxembourg Institute for Science and Technology (LIST) is a leading European research centre focusing on natural and engineering sciences in Luxembourg and the Greater Region. With 840 employees - nearly 80% of them are researchers - LIST drives transformative science across natural, built, and industrial environments and makes the most of its expertise in space, artificial intelligence, as well as security and defence. LIST bridges fundamental and applied research and develops prototypes and market-ready solutions that empower industry, government and society. Through strong partnerships with public and private stakeholders, LIST accelerates technology transfers, fosters collaboration, strengthens Luxembourg’s global competitiveness and contributes to a sustainable and resilient future.

www.list.lu

About Orange Communications Luxembourg

Orange Luxembourg is one of the major players in the telecommunications sector in Luxembourg, with its own 4G and 5G networks, as well as its own fiber internet infrastructure. The company offers postpaid and prepaid mobile services at fair prices for residential customers. Orange also provides multi-gigabit internet services via optics fiber, as well as a TV service on the Orange fiber network, which was named the top fiber network in Luxembourg in 2025 by the Ookla Institute.

On the corporate market, Orange offers mobile and fiber internet services for large and small companies. As an integrated communications operator, Orange Luxembourg also provides a wide portfolio of connectivity and mobility services, including offerings based on AI, big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Thanks to a partnership with Orange Cyberdefense and its 3,500 experts worldwide, Orange supports corporate clients in securing their digital activities.

Orange is an operator that cares about the quality of its network and infrastructure. The goal of providing a unique customer experience, with the best price-quality ratio, drives Orange employees daily to enable their customers to stay in touch with their loved ones, regardless of distance or communication means.

Orange Luxembourg and its parent company, Orange Belgium, serve more than 3 million customers in Belgium and Luxembourg, operating mobile and internet networks that are subject to continuous investment.

The Orange Group is present in more than 29 countries worldwide, connecting over 291 million customers (as of December 2024). It is one of Europe's and Africa's leading mobile and internet operators and a global leader in business telecommunications services.

For more information and details on Orange Luxembourg's offers, visit one of the Orange shops throughout Luxembourg or visit http://www.orange

Media contatcts :

List : Steve Boukhers steve.boukhers@list.lu

Orange Luxembourg : Barbara Fangille barbara.fangille@orange.com