Bharti Airtel Launches Green 5G Initiative to Enhance Energy Efficiency

Bharti Airtel has announced a collaboration with Nokia focused on ‘Green 5G,’ which aims to introduce energy-efficient solutions and practices across Airtel‘s mobile network. This initiative targets improved energy efficiency within Airtel’s 4G and 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 143,413 metric tons of CO2 annually, Airtel said in a release on Tuesday.

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Airtel Green 5G Initiative

Bharti Airtel said, “In response to the surging demand for data, mobile networks across India have rapidly expanded, particularly with the rollout of 5G technology. At Bharti Airtel, our commitment to sustainability has led us to collaborate with Nokia. This partnership allows us to leverage innovative solutions that deliver substantial energy savings, enabling us to significantly reduce our carbon footprint and further our environmental objectives in alignment with our business strategy.”

“Our innovative technologies will not only enhance the overall performance of communications networks but will also significantly help reduce their energy consumption, contributing to the energy efficiency targets of our customers,” Nokia added.

Key Components of the Collaboration

The partnership will leverage advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to optimise energy consumption. Key components of the collaboration include:

• Zero-Traffic, Zero-Watt Operation: Minimising power consumption during periods of low traffic to conserve power and optimise energy management.
• AI/ML Integration: Airtel and Nokia have reportedly leveraged AI/ML to automate and fine-tune energy-saving software across 4G and 5G radio resources.
• Digital Design Optimisation: The companies have trialled advanced digital design tools to enhance cell configurations, improving energy efficiency without compromising network performance.
  “This positively impacts the CO2 footprint and energy bills without compromising network performance or user experience. It contributes to network efficiency during both peak and off-peak hours,” Airtel said.
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Airtel’s Emission Reduction Targets

Airtel claims it has set ambitious emissions reduction targets across its operations and is implementing a range of key initiatives to achieve these commitments, including promoting energy efficiency, utilising open-access green energy, and adopting renewable energy solutions throughout its network.

“The company is also building a more climate-resilient infrastructure, improving resource efficiency, and enhancing waste management practices,” Airtel added.

Notably, Airtel has deployed solar-powered systems at around 25,000 sites to date and has substantially increased renewable energy usage at its data centers, sourcing 220,541 MWh through green power wheeling agreements and captive solar rooftop plants in FY2024.