Networks unwrapped: green network transformation is no longer just talk
Access this insight with a Standard plan. Contact our sales team to get started.
Energy consumption has always been a significant factor for mobile network operators as it is one of the largest operating costs, second only to labour. Energy consumption is responsible for 20-40% of opex for mobile operators, and networks are expected to use more energy going forward: global mobile data traffic will grow almost fourfold by 2025 and new 5G use cases will require more dense and complex networks. Although MWC Barcelona 2020 was cancelled, we reflect below on recent announcements from across the mobile industry that suggest momentum for sustainable networks is building, with operators devising green transformation plans and vendors addressing the opportunity ahead.
Report details
Networks unwrapped: green network transformation is no longer just talk
Report details
Networks unwrapped: green network transformation is no longer just talk
Related research
GSMA Open Gateway: State of the Market, H1 2026
This latest edition of the GSMA Open Gateway research series provides an update on the state of the market, recent developments and examples of Open Gateway in action. The market is increasingly moving away from operator-specific API exposure and towards platform-mediated distribution, where developers prefer a single integration point with global reach. This changes the commercial dynamic for the ecosystem.
Efficient operator scale in European mobile markets
European mobile markets are undergoing a structural shift: rising data usage, declining revenue per user, saturating subscriber penetration and sustained investment requirements have made operator scale increasingly important. Europe remains the least concentrated major mobile region in the world, with operators being structurally subscale compared to global peers. This gap has widened during precisely the period when scale matters most.
Fixing the middle mile in mobile networks: a multi-technology assessment for the 5G era
To aid operators that are evaluating middle-mile transport solutions, GSMA Intelligence has developed the TCO Calculator, based on research and analysis of existing and emerging middle-mile transport solutions across a number of deployment scenarios around the world. The rapid expansion of 5G networks is driving an unprecedented surge in mobile data consumption, which is placing immense pressure on the middle mile. As a result, operators must diversify their product/solution mix for middle-mile transport.
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.
