With emergency call and mobile data requirements growing and the telecom industry becoming competitive, the demand in terms of network availability is reaching new heights. This calls for tomorrow’s telecom networks to be much smarter— the key to which lies in smarter battery and power systems. Established with a specific focus on the telecom segment, Incell International provides lithium-based power backup solutions that help increase network availability while reducing cost and minimizing environmental impact. Lithium batteries occupy half the space and weigh only a quarter of equivalent lead-acid batteries, while having five times higher energy density that results in longer service life, especially in cyclic environments.

Incell’s battery offering is based on modules that contain a mechanical unit with lithium battery cells and a battery management system (BMS) with charging control, temperature and voltage sensors, as well as a battery disconnect functionality. “Our BMS system’s charging algorithm makes it plug-and-play compatible with existing rectifier systems for telecom use,” says Stefan Jansson, CEO of Incell. “Just connect the cables, turn on the power and walk away knowing that you are now always connected and remotely managed,” he adds. Incell’s cloud-based management and maintenance service, Always Connected, provides real-time data on the performance of the battery system. Always Connected generates periodic reports and analysis about the health of the system, including recommendations for planned and preventive actions.

With a growing number of people and devices, smart power backup is a necessity for telecom companies to fulfill the demands for constant network availability. Incell’s Smart Lithium Power (SLP) solution, a fully integrated telecom backup system, is effectively solving this problem. SLP can be installed anywhere—on a pole, wall, or tower— and comes in different power ranges and reserve times, with both AC and DC inputs and outputs.

The units are easy to install and require no on-site maintenance, typically lasting for more than 15 years. Additionally, clients can manage, analyze, and optimize network availability remotely with the help of Incell’s Always Connected solution. Incell also offers battery-as-a-service (BaaS), which gives clients control over their power and battery backup and a handle on costs. The BaaS model provides clients with a performance guarantee during the contract, at fixed monthly operating costs and no initial investment.

In Africa, where the electrical grid infrastructure is not up to the mark or non-existent, Incell helped a client cut down its dependence on diesel generators from almost 24 hours a day to 6-8 hours. Incell batteries also reduced the client’s spend on diesel fuel by one third and consequently minimized carbon dioxide emissions. The customer was able to monitor the savings on a daily basis and optimize the performance and monetary parameters in real time. This resulted in a more sustainable solution, both financially and environmentally.

Moving forward, Incell continues to expand its business footprint globally. Currently, the company’s products are utilized in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa; beginning with 2019, Incell will start deploying its products in North America, Europe, and South East Asia as well. “We will continue to release new products for the lead-acid battery replacement market in addition to 5G roll-outs, and we plan to soon have our first major rollout of a combined, integrated power and lithium battery solution,” concludes Jansson.