STL Partners, Vertiv Research Reveals Telcos Should Prioritize Sustainability in 5G Deployments
Embracing best practices to amplify efficiency will be key for operators
COLUMBUS, Ohio — New research highlights the practical challenges of 5G energy management facing telecommunications operators. Estimates suggest 5G networks can be up to 90% more efficient per traffic unit than their 4G predecessors, but they still require far more energy due to increased network density, heavy reliance on IT systems and infrastructure, and increased network use and accelerated traffic growth. The report from telecommunications consultancy STL Partners and Vertiv concludes telecom operators should address these challenges in two ways: by adopting energy efficiency best practices across their networks and by encouraging their customers to adopt 5G-enabled services to reduce consumption and emissions in all walks of life.
STL Partners estimates global 5G traffic will overtake 3G/4G as soon as 2025, making sustainability an urgent priority for operators. In fact, 40% of enterprises surveyed for the report indicated energy efficiency should be the first or second priority for telecom operators when deploying 5G networks.