Addressing sustainability for 5G: holistic, realistic, optimistic

The impetus for reductions in energy emissions in the telecoms sector is anchored in the global fight to combat and mitigate climate change, as enshrined in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Industry-specific factors to counter the rising energy costs associated with traffic increases from 4G and 5G migration have further shaped efficiency efforts. Although 5G NR is more spectrally efficient than 4G and 3G, overall electricity consumption is likely to rise in the 5G era without mitigation measures. Operators’ energy strategies therefore reflect a holistic approach that includes retiring legacy networks, increasing renewables consumption and buying power-efficient equipment. Indications from reporting groups are positive, following a trajectory to net zero by 2040–2050. However, this is a shared industry challenge that can be helped by a common evidence base to track progress.