US cable company Comcast has reported a significant 76% increase in its network traffic from 2019 to 2024. During this same period, the company managed it impressively by cutting power consumption by 11%. Comcast has introduced virtualized, cloud-based technologies enabling faster broadband while minimizing equipment usage and conserving energy. Remarkably, electricity consumption per byte went from 18.4 kWh/TB in 2019 to 9.3 kWh/TB in 2024, which also underscores an overall 49% reduction per byte of data consumed.
To achieve this integration of efficiency and growth, the company is incorporating AI and machine learning into its network. This includes enhanced monitoring capabilities, which improve diagnostic procedures, and real-time issue localization for better network self-maintenance.
“We’ve known for a long time that the future of connectivity is more – more gaming, more streaming, more video conferencing, and, in recent years, more AI,” said Elad Nafshi, Executive Vice President and Chief Network Officer at Comcast. He highlights the dual commitment to delivering higher quality service while reducing energy needs.
Simultaneously, Comcast has embarked on an accelerated phase of decommissioning obsolete equipment. The firm has also optimized technical facilities such as temperature settings and air flow in data centers. The emphasis on energy optimization is further echoed by Ryan Capone, VP of Network Facilities & Energy at Comcast, who described energy efficiency enhancement as an organic evolution rooted in business pragmatism.
Furthermore, Comcast has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to transfer its 5G core network to the cloud. This move aims to leverage AWS infrastructure to extend mobile services, especially using its spectrum coverage of about 80% of homes in its network area. This step is a strategic investment towards scalable and efficient mobile and broadband solutions, covering around 50% of the US population.
