Page 74 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2020

ARTICLE SAMENA TRENDS

5G will help other industries effect, across all ICT, will be equivalent transport contributes around one-third of
total emissions in many regions, so there
to 15% of all global emissions by the
to hit their climate goals, end of 2020. The 5G enabling effect is considerable interest in using 5G to
known as the “enabling arises from changes to processes and support rising levels of vehicle autonomy,
effect”. According to the behaviour, which are supported by a high- so that vehicles, powered by renewable
sources of electricity, have the real-time
capacity, ubiquitous and low-latency 5G
International Telecom- network. Together with virtualisation, information they need to make the best
munication Union (ITU) edge computing, AI-enabled analytics decisions about routeing, parking and so
and cloud, 5G can help industries to
on, and thus use power most efficiently
SMART 2020 report,2 implement new processes as an integral and avoid traffic congestion and pollution.
the scale of the enabling part of an energy efficiency programme, by
effect, across all ICT, will supporting the most efficient and flexible Smart cities are among the best examples
allocation of resources. With enhanced
of how 5G can interact with other emerging
be equivalent to 15% of all mobile broadband (eMBB) underpinning technologies, including AI analytics, edge
global emissions by the many new ways to work and communicate, computing and massive IoT, to support
there has been considerable focus on
a fully efficient, digital and sustainable
end of 2020. ensuring that eMBB usage is as energy way of living, working and travelling.
efficient as possible. Smart-city programmes, like those of the
The rising use of technologies such as C40 Cities,4 have dramatic results, with
cloud computing and mobile connectivity This intelligent use of resources can help connectivity as a key enabler. In Europe, for
supports new experiences in every to reduce energy consumption in many instance, London, Berlin and Madrid have
aspect of business and personal life, ways, such as: support for smart energy reduced GHG emissions of motor vehicles
but it is essential that these benefits can management; reduced requirement for by 30% each from their peak rates, and
be delivered without any detrimental office space and business travel; efficient Copenhagen by 61%.
impact on the environment. National just-in-time supply chains enabled
and international policies are targeting a by predictive analytics; and intelligent To achieve optimum energy efficiency
dramatic increase in energy efficiency, and automated management of the movement through 5G, governments, regulators,
a sharp shift from fossil fuels to renewable of vehicles carrying people and goods. mobile network operators (MNOs) and the
sources of energy such as solar, wind and industries all have a part to play. These
water. This will entail a completely new Analysys Mason has conducted analysis stakeholders need to do the following to
approach to energy use, which must be of the impact of 5G on energy efficiency make this happen:
adopted by every industry and individual. in three industries which require energy • Governments can facilitate cooperation
This is where 5G is an important enabler. efficiency transformation most urgently between different stakeholders to adopt
– energy, healthcare and manufacturing common platforms and best practice.
The way that operators deploy 5G will – all of which currently have high GHG • Regulators can lower barriers to 5G
play a significant role in this. For the emissions. The modelling involved deployment by making spectrum and
first time, energy efficiency is one of the lifecycle assessment (LCA) and operation city infrastructure available in a timely
main considerations when planning and parameter comparison. The research and and affordable way.
optimising new mobile networks, and modelling showed that, in these sectors, • MNOs can work to form strong
many techniques – from smart power for 5G can have a significant effect, when relationships with all other stakeholders,
base stations to artificial intelligence (AI)- combined with other technologies such as to set common objectives and roadmaps
enabled preventive maintenance – will cloud, AI and the Internet of Things (IoT), for 5G-enabled efficiency, and ensure
make 5G networks the most sustainable plus other changes such as the adoption these are central to 5G planning and
ever. of renewable energy sources. deployment.

5G will help other industries to hit their There are many other sectors where 5G It is only by all stakeholders, countries and
climate goals, known as the “enabling and other related technologies can have a industries working together that 5G can
effect”. According to the International dramatic impact on sustainability. Some of fulfil its maximum potential to enhance
Telecommunication Union (ITU) SMART these are particularly important because energy efficiency and help avert climate-
2020 report,2 the scale of the enabling they affect every industry. For instance, change disaster.

74 SEP-OCT 2020