Cell phone users are excited for the introduction of 5G networks around the globe. These networks will offer high-speed low-latency mobile internet to compatible devices. While it has it’s uses and will eventually be beneficial, there are a number of experts concerned about the impact that 5G architecture will have on the environment.
What sort of environmental impacts can we expect to see as 5G networks begin expanding across the country and around the globe?
The Impact of Manufacturing
The first and perhaps one of the largest environmental impacts of 5G architecture won’t come from the network itself. Instead, we have to look at the environmental impact of manufacturing. On the commercial side, phone companies are creating an entire new infrastructure to support 5G networks because they utilize a different energy wavelength than previous incarnations of the network.
On the consumer side, older phones won’t be compatible with the 5G network. They’ll still work with 4G and LTE towers but as more companies make the transition to 5G, it will become necessary to make the switch in order to stay connected. That’s going to mean a lot of discarded cell phones and mobile devices in landfills or getting shipped overseas for recycling.
Increased Energy Consumption
5G network stations consume a massive amount of power. According to Huawei, the average 5G station uses around 11.5 kilowatts of power ” 70% more than the existing stations that manage 2G, 3G and 4G networks combined. The exact amount will vary from telecom to telecom, but in general, companies expect to double or even triple their energy consumption as 5G becomes more widespread. There may be a difference between public and private networks as well, but 5G hasn’t expanded far enough to start moving into private networks as of yet.
As energy use climbs, so too will greenhouse gas emissions created by power generation. While green energy is becoming more common, the majority of the power created in the United States still comes from burning fossil fuels. Companies can offset this environmental impact by switching to green or renewable energy sources in the future, but for the time being, this switch to 5G will have a detrimental effect on emissions.
Maintaining Ecosystems
Some evidence indicates 5G could have harmful impacts on our planet’s delicate ecosystems. Some studies have shown the negative impacts of cellular devices on bees and and birds. The interconnectedness of ecosystems means that even one species being impacted impacts us all.
The potential impacts of 5G requires us to be more proactive about caring for our world and being responsible stewards of the planet as well as developing technology that helps the environment and wildlife.
Looking Toward a 5G Future
5G networks will prove to be a useful tool for users around the world. There are some potential impacts, such as manufacturing waste and massive power usage, that could negatively affect the environment, but the biggest complaints about this mobile internet upgrade don’t have any basis in reality.
5G isn’t the end of mobile network advancement but it does represent a step in the right direction as we move forward and these devices become faster and more useful. We can look forward to a 5G future, though it is up to telecom companies to figure out how to make their towers and hubs better for the environment in the long run.
