Telecommunications have become the backbone of our digital society. From remote work to on-demand entertainment, and even the management of critical infrastructures, telecommunications are deeply embedded in our daily lives, addressing the most evident and transversal use cases. It’s no surprise, then, that the demand for reliable, high-capacity connectivity continues to grow.

However, this exponential growth brings with it a crucial challenge: how can we ensure that the engine of digitalisation doesn’t become an unsustainable burden on our planet? The answer lies in integrating sustainability into the very core of telecommunications infrastructures.

More efficient networks: the sustainability benefits of fibre optics

One of the cornerstones of greener telecommunications is the energy efficiency of the networks themselves. In this regard, fibre optics emerges as a fundamentally more sustainable technology compared to its predecessors, such as copper networks. The transmission of data through light pulses across the fine glass strands that make up fibre optics requires significantly less energy than electrical transmission. This intrinsic efficiency translates into multiple environmental benefits:

Lower consumption:

Fibre optic networks consume up to 85% less energy per gigabyte transmitted compared to copper networks.

Less cooling demand:

Due to generating less heat, fibre optic equipment requires fewer cooling systems, further reducing overall energy consumption.

Greater durability, less maintenance:

Fibre optics are more resistant to interference and degradation, resulting in longer lifespan and fewer replacements and repairs, thus reducing the generation of electronic waste.

For infrastructure providers, concerned with the sustainability of their fibre optics and the green impact within the sector, investing in large-scale fibre optic deployments is not just a technological decision to offer the best connectivity; it is also a firm commitment to a sustainable and efficient future.

Data centres: critical points in the fight for sustainability

Data centres are critical nodes in the telecommunications ecosystem, processing and storing vast amounts of information. Their energy consumption is considerable, but there are clear strategies to mitigate their impact:

Invest in renewable energy:

Transitioning to 100% renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydroelectric) to power data centres is essential.

Optimise consumption:

Improving Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) through advanced cooling systems like free cooling, as well as intelligent load management or using more efficient hardware, can be key.

Embrace the circular economy:

Implement practices to reuse and recycle components and equipment at the end of their life cycle.

For companies that genuinely want to make a positive impact in the fight for a sustainable future without jeopardising their leadership position, it is crucial to align all their activities with sustainable principles. At the same time, they must become leaders within the ecosystem to ensure that the infrastructure supporting data centres is aligned with sustainable principles.

How telecommunications can reduce the global carbon footprint impact

The true potential of sustainable telecommunications goes beyond its own operational footprint. Robust and efficient connectivity enables solutions that dramatically reduce environmental impact in other sectors. How does its commitment to sustainability extend beyond its own boundaries?

By fostering better ways to enable in-person work, remote work, and remote collaboration, telecommunications reduce the need for daily commuting, lowering carbon dioxide emissions from transport and the associated urban congestion. In theory, they are also equipped to facilitate the development of smart cities, with optimised management of traffic, public lighting, water consumption, and waste collection, resulting in significant energy and resource savings.

What is less theoretical and can be empirically proven with data is the positive sustainability impact from eliminating paper, optimising logistics through real-time tracking, and remotely managing industrial operations, as these reduce resource consumption and associated emissions.