Addressing sustainability for 5G: holistic, realistic, optimistic
Please complete the form below or register for a free public account to access this report.
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.
Download the Report
Complete the form below to get instant access to this report. For easier access in the future, you can register for a free account here.
Related research
5G in Context, Q3 2025
This quarterly review of global 5G developments provides a concise, tracker-style deliverable, presenting key metrics and forecasts in an easy-to-access and engaging way. GSMA Intelligence has aggregated the latest data on 5G connections and adoption, as well as information on network trials/launches and spectrum assignments.
5G in Africa 2025: market status, trends and outlook
5G momentum continues to build in Africa. As of September 2025, 53 operators in 29 markets across the region had launched commercial 5G mobile services, while 25 African operators have launched 5G fixed wireless access commercial services. To capitalise on the promise of 5G, operators require enabling policy environments. This report highlights key policy imperatives to drive the development of 5G in Africa.
5G Next: optimising energy in the age of network complexity via integrated dashboards
This Insight Spotlight is part of our 5G Next series, which helps clarify the next phase of 5G and highlights key technological innovations. Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly critical as it directly affects operational costs, while the integration of new network layers can contribute to rising energy consumption. Reducing operational complexity, unlocking actionable insights and transforming billing will be foundational to achieve efficiency, sustainability goals and long-term network resilience in the 5G era and beyond.
Authors
How to access this report
Annual subscription: Subscribe to our research modules for comprehensive access to more than 200 reports per year.
Enquire about subscriptionContact our research team
Get in touch with us to find out more about our research topics and analysis.
Contact our research teamMedia
To cite our research, please see our citation policy in our Terms of Use, or contact our Media team for more information.
Learn moreRelated research
5G in Context, Q3 2025
This quarterly review of global 5G developments provides a concise, tracker-style deliverable, presenting key metrics and forecasts in an easy-to-access and engaging way. GSMA Intelligence has aggregated the latest data on 5G connections and adoption, as well as information on network trials/launches and spectrum assignments.
5G in Africa 2025: market status, trends and outlook
5G momentum continues to build in Africa. As of September 2025, 53 operators in 29 markets across the region had launched commercial 5G mobile services, while 25 African operators have launched 5G fixed wireless access commercial services. To capitalise on the promise of 5G, operators require enabling policy environments. This report highlights key policy imperatives to drive the development of 5G in Africa.
5G Next: optimising energy in the age of network complexity via integrated dashboards
This Insight Spotlight is part of our 5G Next series, which helps clarify the next phase of 5G and highlights key technological innovations. Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly critical as it directly affects operational costs, while the integration of new network layers can contribute to rising energy consumption. Reducing operational complexity, unlocking actionable insights and transforming billing will be foundational to achieve efficiency, sustainability goals and long-term network resilience in the 5G era and beyond.
- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics