The essential role of AI in improving energy efficiency
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Telecoms operators recognise the need for an energy efficiency plan to reduce CO2 emissions and lower costs without compromising on network performance and customer experience. According to our new report, in partnership with Nokia, 83% of operators rate energy efficiency as extremely or very important to their network transformation strategy, while 78% expect AI-driven solutions to be an extremely or very important part of their network transformation strategy.
To operate an energy-efficient network, a multitude of optimal decisions need to be made every minute, in real time and in various parts of a mobile network. As AI allows vast amounts of data from different sources to be analysed quickly and efficiently, it expands the potential for several energy-saving opportunities across the whole network. Network operators cannot efficiently process information and make real-time decisions at scale without the use of AI. As energy consumption is a key operational cost for all operators, those that are currently not planning to use AI-driven energy management risk having a long-term competitive disadvantage.
In parallel, GSMA Intelligence has also released Industry pathways to net zero in partnership with Nokia. Both reports have significance for the telecoms ecosystem and enterprise customer segments in understanding the value of mobile and digital technology in transitioning towards a sustainable future and ultimately net zero.
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IBC 2025: AI dominated the scene but it was not the only area of innovation and developments
The 2025 edition of IBC, one of the largest annual gatherings of the media and entertainment industry, had nearly 44,000 attendees from over 170 countries, with 1,300 exhibitors showcasing innovations and cutting-edge technology. AI was the dominant theme at the show, with a focus on generative AI and agentic AI. But there were also key developments in free-to-air TV and an uptick among vendors looking to increase interactivity to generate customer stickiness.
AI Inference Calculator
We have developed a plug-and-play custom calculator for operators and enterprise companies to use their own data and explore the downstream implications of running AI inference at the edge, including total cost of ownership. The calculator is free to use, and includes a selection of parameters that you can customise based on your own deployment plan
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.
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