Mission sustainable: 5G efficiencies and the green network

Sustainability is now fundamental in how operators design and implement networks. In the telco toolbox are efficient network technologies, renewables and circularity. However, a number of outstanding questions and barriers could hold back industry progress towards net zero by 2050. Those operators that do not invest sufficiently in this green transformation are also risking their long-term competitiveness.

This is the first in a two-part series from GSMA Intelligence in partnership with Microsoft on embedding environmental sustainability into the telecoms sector operating model. This report focuses on strategies to lower energy consumption using technology in the 5G era and renewables. The second report, to be published in September 2022, looks at the partnership models needed to address the circular economy, as well as emissions reporting and 6G network standards.