Energy efficiency in the 5G era: going lean, going green
Access this insight with a Standard plan. Contact our sales team to get started.
The impetus for reductions in energy emissions in the telecoms sector is anchored in the global fight to combat and mitigate climate change. Industry-specific factors have further shaped efficiency efforts, though - in particular, the rising proportion of 4G/5G customers and their propensity to use more data, with consequent impacts on network energy consumption. Energy-saving measures built into the 5G standard may be offset by rising data traffic, paradoxically resulting in higher levels of energy consumption and emissions. The energy strategies of operators are, however, taking a holistic perspective that includes retiring legacy networks, increasing renewable consumption and buying power-efficient equipment. Indications from reporting groups are positive, following a trajectory to net zero by 2040-2050, but the trend is not yet broad based.
Report details
Energy efficiency in the 5G era: going lean, going green
Report details
Energy efficiency in the 5G era: going lean, going green
Related research
North America enterprise survey: navigating the digital transformation of industries and the B2B opportunity
B2B has emerged as a strategic growth area for operators and the wider tech/digital ecosystem. As the digital transformation of vertical sectors accelerates, gaining insights directly from enterprises is key. GSMA Intelligence surveyed more than 500 enterprises from 10 vertical sectors across the US and Canada to gain insight into their digital transformation. The research focused on strategic objectives, investment plans, use of technology, deployment challenges, supplier decisions, tech sovereignty, and policy and regulation.
5G in Context, Q2 2026
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, adoption and coverage, as well as information on network trials/launches and spectrum assignments.
ASEAN enterprise survey: navigating the digital transformation of industries and the B2B opportunity
B2B has emerged as a strategic growth area for operators and the wider tech/digital ecosystem. As the digital transformation of vertical sectors accelerates, gaining insights directly from enterprises is key. GSMA Intelligence surveyed enterprises from six countries and 10 vertical sectors across the ASEAN region to gain insight into their digital transformation. The research focused on strategic objectives, investment plans, use of technology, deployment challenges, supplier decisions, technology sovereignty, and policy and regulation.
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 more- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics
How can we support you?
Get in touch
Contact the GSMA Intelligence support team for help with your account, subscriptions, or access to reports and insights.
Newsletter
Subscribe to the GSMA Intelligence newsletter for the latest industry news and insights, delivered to your inbox.