Sustainability in Telecom: Reducing the Environmental Impact of Networks

Harish Sridharan, Sangeetha Govindarajan

Abstract: Telecommunication networks are in every society today, playing a significant role in executing economic growth, social relations, and digital economies. However, with the increase in users, there is a problem with consuming energy, carbon emissions, and creating electronic waste or e - waste. This article discusses various environmental effects on the telecom sector, measures being taken for green technologies by telecom companies, and how the telecom sector is helping promote sustainability across industries. Specifically, it underlines the proper application of circular economy, effectual regulation, efficient technologies, and the further development of telecom sustainability. From the telecom case studies and the survey of the problems and opportunities characteristic of the telecommunications industry, the article offers a detailed view of how the evolution of the telecommunications industry takes place in the context of environmental sustainability.

Keywords: Telecom sustainability, e - waste, energy efficiency, renewable energy, Paris Agreement, sustainable development goals (SDGs), Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), carbon emission, government policies, industry norms, environmental impact, telecom infrastructure, climate, sustainable initiatives