Intelligent CIO Europe Issue 31 | Page 12

NEWS Nokia and Elisa see sustainability leap in world-first 5G liquid cooling deployment COVID-19 home testing kit provider, LetsGetChecked, deploys 8x8 contact centre for vital support 8x8, a leading integrated cloud communications platform provider, has announced LetsGetChecked, the at-home health testing and insights company, has deployed an 8x8 contact centre to continue the successful support of its COVID-19 home test kit services through its remote contact centres in Ireland and New York. LetsGetChecked is a leading health insights company that allows consumers direct access to a wide range of testing options and clinical services from home. Its medical home testing kits can be ordered online for instant shipping and are supported by a customer services team to ensure successful kit delivery, seamless service, proactive reminders for optimum customer experience and timely test returns. Nokia has announced that its liquid cooling 5G AirScale Base Station solution has helped Finnish mobile operator, Elisa, reduce the potential energy expenses of its base station by 30% and CO 2 emissions by approximately 80%. This is the first time a commercial 5G liquid cooling solution has been deployed anywhere in the world and highlights Nokia’s strong commitment to sustainability and combatting climate change. The Nokia Bell Labs-developed solution will enable Elisa to achieve 30% lower power consumption and related savings at its site in Helsinki, Finland. Approximately 90% of energy consumed by base stations is converted to waste heat, however, with a heat reuse option – where waste heat is converted and repurposed – Elisa has been able to reduce its CO 2 emissions by approximately 80%. Liquid-cooled sites are silent, require zero maintenance and can be 50% smaller and 30% lighter than standard active air conditioning units. They offer operators and owners of base station sites significant savings and potentially longer base station component life. Technology innovation plays a key role in achieving a more sustainable planet and better, healthier lives for all people. Liquid cooling is another example of Nokia’s longstanding commitment to sustainability. In May, LetsGetChecked received FDA EUAauthorisation for its new Sure-track test for COVID-19. The test was specifically designed to relieve pressure on over-stretched hospital services, frontline healthcare workers and at-risk groups by offering convenient and secure results in 24 hours. Customer communication is central to its service delivery. LetsGetChecked provides oversight of the entire testing process including collection kit manufacturing, logistics, lab analysis and physician approval. These measures allow for superior patient care, communication and guidance throughout the testing process. In response to the surge in demand for COVID-19 testing kits, LetsGetChecked required a business communication and contact centre solution that offered efficient, outbound dialing functionality and the ability to maintain timely post-order customer support. Support for remote agents was a key requirement. 12 INTELLIGENTCIO www.intelligentcio.com