'Green' mobile network improvements to yield 42pc reduction in carbon emissions by 2013

BOULDER, USA: Mobile network operators worldwide have embarked on bold initiatives to improve the energy efficiency of their wireless networks and reduce the carbon footprint and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with network operations.

According to a recent report from Pike Research, these efforts will be driven by the desire for lower energy operating expenses, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and some cases by government mandates. The report forecasts that “green” network upgrades will result in the reduction of network carbon emissions by 42 percent by 2013, compared to business-as-usual trends.

“The incentives for mobile operators to deploy greener networks are strong,” says managing director Clint Wheelock. “These upgrades include the integration of clean energy sources such as solar, wind, and fuel cells, together with more energy-efficient network equipment including base stations and RF power amplifiers, and more efficient network architectures and topologies.”

Wheelock adds that carriers are making a transition from a business planning process focused on capital expenditures to one that accounts for total cost of ownership (TCO) including ongoing operating expenses.

Asia Pacific, enjoying strong growth in cell site deployments, will be the leading region for carbon emissions reduction versus business-as-usual, followed by Europe and North America. Pike Research forecasts that the global market for green mobile capital expenditures will reach $80.8 billion by 2013.