Looking forward to 5G in Africa – the green road to universal connectivity

Developing fast and reliable internet access across Africa will bring advantages for business, society and the climate as a whole. But while operators remain mainly focused on profit, environmental solutions often take a back seat.

From money transfers and instant weather updates for farmers to apps that help reduce waste, save water or find elusive parking spots — mobile internet use has exploded across Africa over the past decade. Mobile broadband connections there are expected to surpass 1.08 billion by 2024, according to industry data.

To avoid the added burden of CO2 emissions resulting from this tremendous expansion, the IT sector will have to invest in climate-friendly solutions for its new datacentres and transmission networks.

The IT carbon footprint

Global greenhouse gas emissions caused by the IT sector are expected to rise to 900 million tonnes by 2030.

If that projection holds true, the industry's climate footprint would increase to roughly 2% of worldwide emissions by the end of the decade. Even thought that doesn’t look like much, it is about the same as the yearly contribution by the global aviation business.

Successful efforts to green the IT sector would do more than just cut those emissions. Knock-on effects across the African continent could end up boosting the development of renewable energy and drive sustainable growth in sectors like business and agriculture.

How 5G can help the climate

5G, the latest generation of wireless mobile technology said to be 100 times faster than the current standard, began rolling out in Europe, Southeast Asia, and North America in early 2019.

With wireless internet available everywhere — using much less energy to transmit data — more people will be able to work remotely and connect countless energy-saving devices and sensors that can, for example, detect pollution, monitor and regulate water use and reduce traffic congestion. But it will be some time before this climate-friendly tech is widespread in Africa, as more than 50% of the continent's network coverage is currently served by 3G or lower.

Research by Germany's Federal Environment Agency (UBA) showed that data transmission over 3G mobile networks — still one of the most widely used technologies for internet-connected devices around the world — generates 90 grams of CO2 per hour when streaming high-definition video, while factoring in the energy used by the datacentre and transmission. That's equivalent to powering a 100-watt light bulb or a desktop computer for around three hours, depending on the model. The ongoing 5G shift is expected to reduce that environmental toll by emitting only about 5 grams of CO2 per hour.

Several infrastructure hurdles

These numbers might sound exciting, but many regions in Africa don't even have 24/7 reliable power, let alone stable internet access. Governments in countries such as Botswana, Mozambique and Ghana have set up Universal Access Service Funds, which use mandatory contributions from telco companies and reinvest them back into the sector to expand the network and reach underserved areas. But these projects can run into issues with funding and long-term viability, while addressing the cost of maintaining power.

To ensure across-the-board internet access — while factoring in the cost of infrastructure, data and the devices used to access that data — governments need to adopt targeted policies. If you really want to make access universal for everybody — whether they are rich or poor, whether they are in urban or rural areas — then you have to create incentives or have a regulation that mandates that private sector players expand into certain areas, even if they don't find it profitable.

Costs remain a big factor

Facing these challenges, the issue of climate footprint can often take a back seat. The environmental impact of the telco sector is often neglected, despite its huge importance. While increasing connectivity is vitally important, environmental issues should also be carefully considered.

Initiatives like infrastructure sharing, where operators pool resources such as generators or cable trenches to avoid doubling up, can help limit the environmental impact. However, this route is generally chosen for financial rather than eco-friendly reasons. Even when green solutions like solar power or low-cost renewable batteries are available, the cost can prove too much for operators. Targeted policies and regulations can create the right incentives for private operators to connect even the most rural areas of Africa to 5G and push the region forward to a more sustainable internet connection.

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