Executive Summary
The purpose of this standard is to provide cable broadband operators a consistent approach when measuring and reporting relative energy performance. Today, operators may report usage and activity data related to environmental performance utilizing standards in existing international frameworks such as the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Intensity metrics, measuring usage as a function of an activity measure, can be helpful to compare progress for an operator over time or between operators if consistently reported. Current standards provide only limited definition and/or guidance with respect to consistently calculating activity measures. This standard defines a consistent activity measure to be used by cable broadband operators for intensity metrics.
Scope
The scope of this standard focuses on cable broadband operator activity measurements for use in intensity metrics associated with the delivery of services over wireline and wireless networks. Most of the activity metrics defined by SASB, such as subscribers, may already be reported by companies in their financial statements. The activity metric for network traffic however is simply stated without additional description in the SASB standard and would benefit from consistent calculation given the lack of a clear and reliable methodology to follow.
This standard develops methodologies for operators to follow for measuring the network traffic activity metric. The measurement excludes operator non-telecommunication assets or operations that do not match the Sustainable Industry Classification System (SICS) Technology and Communications Sector Standard for Telecommunications Services which provide a range of services from wireless to wirelines to cable and satellite.
Benefits
This document defines a new ANSI/SCTE standard activity measure for use in corporate intensity metrics broadband cable operators may develop. The standard provides operators with measures to assist in assessing company-wide performance over time or in relation to any company-specific goals.
Intended Audience
SASB includes cable broadband operators as a part of the “Telecommunications Services” industry, inclusive also of wireless and wireline operators. Although cable broadband operators world-wide are key stakeholders in the development of this document and the sustainability metrics, the document is high level encouraging the use of this standard for consistent calculation.