Policy makers around the world are seeking to combat climate change by maximizing energy efficiency in all sectors of the economy, including communications. Balancing the growing demand for wireless connectivity with environmental sustainability is particularly difficult. This is because the performance of wireless networks, in terms of coverage and capacity, depends on the transmitted signal energy (i.e., signal power). Increasing signal power helps overcome propagation and interruption losses that affect any wireless network, but clearly counters the goal of energy conservation. This dichotomy between communication and sustainability goals requires a comprehensive approach that leverages technological advances to achieve the necessary connectivity while optimizing energy efficiency. The latest Wi-Fi® generation provides a solution.
One of the facts underlying sustainability considerations in communications policies is that the majority of data-intensive use cases such as automation, cloud computing, e-health, distance learning, and immersive reality are being realized. That’s it. indoors. This fact presents policymakers with a unique opportunity to meet growing connectivity demands while minimizing network energy consumption. Indoor connectivity primarily relies on fixed broadband (such as fiber or cable) for distribution and Wi-Fi for distribution. As a result, fixed/Wi-Fi deployments are highly localized and can deliver significant sustainability benefits, as they do not need to spend significant energy on signal propagation.
In fact, fixed/Wi-Fi networks are 2.5 times more energy efficient per megabyte sent than cellular networks. Unlike fixed/Wi-Fi, cellular networks (such as 5G) require signals to propagate from distant cell towers, pass through building walls, and require extra power just to reach the end user. Consumes signal energy. Similarly, signals from indoor cellular devices to outdoor cell stations use a disproportionate amount of energy just to overcome obstacles and distance in the propagation path, resulting in increased recharge cycles, battery wear, and electronic waste. The increase in materials worsens the environmental impact.
The demand for indoor connectivity is further evidenced by the latest statistics showing that fixed/Wi-Fi networks already provide more than 80% of all broadband traffic in developed countries. [1]. Governments are responding to this huge demand for indoor connectivity by increasing the deployment of fixed broadband.In Europe, almost 100% of EU households will be provided with fiber optic connectivity [2].Similar efforts are underway in other countries as well. [3]. With the massive deployment of fixed broadband, Wi-Fi has become increasingly essential to the country’s telecommunications infrastructure.
Like all wireless technologies, Wi-Fi functionality requires access to the radio spectrum. Radio frequency spectrum is a finite natural resource and is carefully managed by national regulatory authorities around the world. Determining the most beneficial use of frequency spectrum is not straightforward and requires a balanced assessment of competing priorities and resulting socio-economic benefits. The rapid pace of wireless technology innovation can result in spectrum management decisions being made before the environmental impact is fully understood. For 6 GHz, regulators must decide whether to repurpose this spectrum for cellular deployments or allow Wi-Fi access while maintaining continuous operations. 6 GHz (i.e., 5.925 to 7.125 GHz) is the only spectrum capable of optimal performance for the latest Wi-Fi generation, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7, and wider bands (such as 160 MHz or 320 MHz) Designed to work. Channel. Wi-Fi offers increased data throughput rates, ultra-low and deterministic latency, greater mobility, and higher user/device densities. only Access the entire 6 GHz band. Recognizing this fact, regulators in several countries have already expanded Wi-Fi access to the 6 GHz frequency band, while regulators in other countries continue to evaluate alternatives. [4]. One of the factors gaining attention in the 6 GHz decision-making process is the environmental impact, particularly the carbon footprint associated with alternative deployments in the upper 6 GHz bands. A recent study, “Sustainability Benefits of 6 GHz Spectrum Policy,” provides a systematic analysis of this issue.
This study provides clear evidence that allowing Wi-Fi access to the entire 6 GHz band can significantly reduce energy consumption and achieve broadband connectivity goals compared to cellular networks. In this study, WIK-Consult analyzed his two 6 GHz spectrum usage scenarios in Europe. The first scenario evaluated the impact of making the entire 6 GHz band available for Wi-Fi. In this scenario, fiber-to-the-home capacity was not constrained by Wi-Fi spectrum scarcity, ensuring sufficient bandwidth to meet advanced indoor connectivity needs. In the second scenario, we modeled the allocation of the upper 6 GHz band (6.425 to 7.125 GHz) to cellular networks. This limits the amount of spectrum available for Wi-Fi. Our analysis shows that a lack of spectrum access degrades Wi-Fi performance and increases data traffic congestion, resulting in dissatisfied consumers migrating from fixed/Wi-Fi connections to cellular networks. Confirmed. The forced transfer in the second scenario resulted in a 15% increase in traffic migration from fixed/Wi-Fi to his 5G mobile phone and an estimated 16% increase in energy consumption. It is estimated that increased energy consumption will generate an additional 3.2 megatonnes of CO2 emissions per year in Europe alone.. Similar increases in his CO2 levels are expected in other parts of the world, according to WIK-Consult.
Wi-Fi technology excels at maximizing spectrum utilization through low-power wireless technology. But more importantly, this study highlights the importance of his 6 GHz policy decisions regarding environmental impacts.
source:
- See UK Ofcom International Broadband Scorecard 2023: Interactive Data, Section 4 – Data Consumption.
- Europe’s Digital Decade: See our 2030 Digital Goals
- See the U.S. Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. See also APAC fiber deployment
- See countries with Wi-Fi enabled at 6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7).