Implementing environmental sustainability in mobile network operator companies

Climate change has been described as “the biggest global health threat of the 21st century” by The Lancet, one of the world’s oldest and best known general medical journals. The mobile telecom sector can be seen as both a solution to the health threats posed by excessive carbon dioxide emissions and climate change environmental decline, and as a contributor to the problem. On one hand, mobile telecom services increase the usage of fossil fuels, both indirectly, (electricity use) for powering the network of cells, base transceiver stations, backbone components and shops, and directly through usage of fossil fuels for its vehicle fleet. On the other side, mobile telecom providers enable people to connect, make calls, exchange data, and have meetings from a distance. Therefore, mobile telecom stakeholders are now paying increasing attention to how telecom companies are making use of scarce resources, such as the environment and non-renewable energy sources. Mobile Network Operators are faced with the challenge of balancing their growing subscriber bases and rising mobile data usage with their public pledges to reduce both capital and operating expenditures, along with emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). As such, robust alternative energy solutions to power fixed and mobile networks are increasingly important. The goal of creating more efficient and sustainable networks is a top priority for nearly every telecom service provider today. This study takes into account all the relevant technologies in the field of hybrid base transceiver stations and their best combination in terms of reducing the impact on the environment and energy consumption. The study provides insight into the comparative analysis of conventional and hybrid base transceiver station on the environment throughout the life cycle on the impact category. Finally, the study provides a practical guideline for the implementation of the hybrid base station that can be used by Mobile Network Operator Companies.