Powering the Future: 5G Turns Up the Green Juice
In a nutshell, Nokia and Telefónica just proved that 5G is the superhero of energy‑savvy tech, beating 4G by a whopping 90 % per megabit. The two giants spent three months breathing life into the Radio Access Network (RAN) of Telefónica’s own towers to see how hard the network works before and after the upgrade.
Why It Matters
- 5G traffic is set to skyrocket – imagine all those streaming cat videos and live gaming sessions.
- Without smarter power use, the energy bill could follow the traffic tear‑drop.
- Now, the math says we can keep the lights on without turning the planet to a Mars‑like dust bowl.
The Experiment, In Plain English
They tested eleven traffic load scenarios (from a sleepy 0 % to a bursting 100 % of capacity). With Nokia’s AirScale stack – the Base Stations and Massive MIMO antennas – they recorded real on‑site consumption.
- “Every meter is a rescue mission” – they monitored power with remote tools and got clear numbers.
- The data showed 5G RAN is a textbook example of efficiency thanks to both hardware tricks and software wizardry.
Key Features That Save the Day
- Power‑saving modes that let the network dial down when traffic is low.
- Deploying small cells for local coverage – less distance, less power.
- New architecture & protocols that scream “green” from the very first design.
Beyond Numbers – The Climate Commitment
Both Nokia and Telefónica are on a mission to keep global warming below the 1.5 °C mark.
- In 2019, Nokia handed out zero‑emission gear to over 150 customers worldwide.
- Goal: cut operating emissions by 41 % by 2030.
- Modernized base stations in 2019 used 46 % less energy on average than those that weren’t upgraded.
Smart Energy — AI to the Rescue
Both companies are mixing machine learning and AI into the network fabrics to auto‑optimize power usage. Think of it like a gym coach for your cellular towers – pushing the right effort just enough.
Words from the Leaders
Juan Manuel Caro, Director of Operational Transformation at Telefónica’s Global CTIO, said: “We’re all about supporting climate action and sowing a sustainable culture company‑wide. Teaming up with Nokia on this study is a proud moment as we chase costs savings and green gains together.”
Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at Nokia, added: “Our biggest beat to sustainability is the tech we roll out. We design for energy efficiency from the ground up, just as we keep manufacturing lean. This study shows operators can lean into 5G rollouts without extra carbon footprints, plus pocketing real savings.”
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