The mobile telecommunications industry has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, aiming to attain a 90% reduction in energy usage through the utilization of 5G technology, according to a GSMA study. The industry endeavors to reduce its carbon footprint and support climate mitigation and adaption efforts.
The advent of 5G and 5G-Advanced (5G-A) technologies has unlocked a transformative leap in worldwide connectivity and technological advancement and is revolutionizing communication across global industries.
5G-A’s features—encompassing faster speeds, lower latency, and enhanced capacity—are poised to improve user experiences, driving better efficiency and sustainability.
As the world’s climate gradually exacerbates, the telecommunications industry’s role in addressing this global issue is imperative. By embracing the arrival of new technology, significant strides can be made to initiate decisive decisions and actions to combat this environmental challenge.
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Carbon Emissions of the Telecom Industry
While continuous technological advancements have greatly improved our way of life, they have also wreaked havoc on the environment, contributing to a deteriorating climate state worldwide. The energy required to run data centers, networks, and devices is the typical contributor to the industry’s carbon footprint.
The information, communications, and technology (ICT) sector is accountable for 3 to 4% of the world’s total carbon emissions, twice the accounted data for the aviation sector, according to Boston Consulting Group (BCG). If no significant strides in reducing carbon emissions are made, it could reach an estimated 14% by 2040, highlighting the substantial contribution required from the industry to address the deterioration of the planet.
Data centers, responsible for powering digital services, consume vast amounts of energy and are the primary contributors to the globe’s increased carbon footprint. Equipment manufacturers, including those that produce electronic devices, servers, and personal computers, are also contributing to the surge in greenhouse gas (GHG) releases.
Furthermore, electricity accounts for the largest source of energy consumption in the telecommunications industry, along with the utilization of fossil fuels to power network equipment.
While advancements in technology have brought about enhanced connectivity and worldwide digitalization, the notable increase in energy consumption must be acknowledged.
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How Does 5G-A Aid Sustainability Initiatives?
Bearing in mind the rising concerns regarding the effects of climate change, the telecom industry has been actively working to reduce its impact through the integration of the latest network: 5G-Advanced.
Compared to earlier network generations, 5G-A is more energy efficient, therefore consuming less power. 5G-A’s more advanced features, including lower latency and capacity, are poised to accelerate the step towards renewable energy, and further reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
5G-Advanced has improved connectivity and, as a result, offers sustainability services that people and organizations can use for better application development and enhanced network performance.
The enhanced energy performance of 5G and 5G-A technology has directly reduced energy consumption in smartphones, IoT devices, and mobile access networks.
Moreover, the 5G-incorporated Internet of Things (IoT) is set to revolutionize smart cities, and improve traffic flow and air quality. 5G-A is also expected to enhance various capabilities, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) to support governmental efforts in driving sustainability.
According to Ericsson, 5G technology-powered smart cities enable automation, which, in turn, saves energy and reduces carbon emissions.
Faster rollout of 5G technology can also potentially reduce cumulative carbon emissions to 0.5 billion tons by 2030, according to a study conducted by Huawei.
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The Telecom Industry’s Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Efforts
Recognizing the urgency to address this increasing global concern and adopting innovative solutions will pave the way for a faster journey to achieving sustainability goals. By leveraging technological advancements, such as 5G-A, the common aim—addressing climate change and pioneering sustainable energy efficiency—can be attained.
The liquid cooling 5G AirScale Base Stations developed by Nokia have helped Finnish mobile operator, Elisa, reduce the potential energy expenses of its base station by 30% and CO2 emissions by approximately 80%.
Middle-Eastern operators have been among the first in the world to integrate 5G-A. e& launched the first net-zero 5G Massive MIMO site deployment, powered entirely by renewable energy in the MENA region, marking its awareness of environmental responsibility and commitment to achieving a more sustainable future.
Aligned with the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, e& incorporated a zero footprint RAN site within its network to concentrate on eliminating carbon emissions and boosting energy efficiency.
Another UAE telecom operator, du, has invested in multiple energy-saving solutions, including traditional solar power, VRLA battery-generator hybrid systems, and free cooling systems, emphasizing their awareness of the impacts of network infrastructure on greenhouse gas emissions. Reduced power consumption, energy efficiency and a decreased carbon footprint was achieved by du through leveraging 5G technology via Ericsson.
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Meanwhile, Ericsson established an initiative to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and is actively pursuing its long-term ambition: to attain Net Zero by 2040. Ericsson will support the initiatives of TDC NET, the world’s first company with a validated 2030 Net Zero target by the Science Based Targets Initiative, by providing energy-efficient solutions to reduce energy consumption across mobile networks.
Additionally, Ericsson predicts that, with the support of 5G technology and IoT, global emissions could be reduced by up to 15% by 2030.
Zain and Huawei’s AI-in-Network 5G use case epitomizes energy efficiency by leveraging advanced AI to optimize network performance and minimize power usage. Moreover, the high-efficiency antennas from CellMax, which are equipped with 10 ports to ensure configuration for all site types, also contribute to increased energy efficiency.
MediaTek’s flagship Dimensity 9300 chipset elevates smartphone energy efficiency, while Huawei’s Smart Port solutions are transforming operational efficiency in port operations. Furthermore, Cisco is delivering power, energy, and space efficiencies for cloud operators, ensuring more sustainable data centers and network operations.
Ericsson has introduced a new 5G radio designed for energy-efficient networks, and, in tandem, Huawei’s IntelligentRAN technology is driving optimal network performance and energy consumption. Sparkle's introduction of energy-efficient battery technology in its Istanbul data center further exemplifies the industry's commitment to sustainability.
Moreover, ADVA's FSP 3000 CloudConnect platform offers unrivaled efficiency for cloud connectivity, and Umniah is reducing its environmental footprint with Ericsson’s AI/ML solutions, showcasing how telcos are proactively reducing their energy consumption and environmental impact.
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Final Thoughts
As the global population and the constant evolution of technology continue to rise at an unprecedented speed, the effects on our climate intensify. The telecommunications industry plays a critical role in addressing this global dilemma with its awareness, strategic initiatives, and project implementations.
However, global responsibility should not only rely on the telecommunications industry. The efforts to mitigate climate change require a collaborative, multifaceted effort across various industries.
The path to a greener and more sustainable future may be long and uncertain, however, it is not impossible. The advent of 5G-A is significantly aiding the innovative development of solutions in an effort to reduce energy consumption and the ICT industry’s overall carbon emissions. 5G-A is ushering us into a more connected, yet greener, and more sustainable world.
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