Plantilla presentaciones para socios 5G-DIGITs

[Virtual Presenter] Welcome everyone to this section on the overview of energy consumption in mobile networks. This section belongs to the unit Introduction to Energy Flows in 5G, which is part of the module Fundamentals of Energy Consumption in 5G Network. Before we focus specifically on 5G, it is important that we understand how energy is consumed in mobile networks in general. I want you to think of mobile networks not just as communication systems, but as large-scale infrastructures that continuously consume energy. This broader perspective will help you better understand later discussions on efficiency and optimisation. Throughout this section, I will guide you step by step through the main concepts. By the end, you should have a solid conceptual foundation..

[Audio] Let me briefly outline what we will cover in this presentation. We will start by discussing why energy consumption has become such an important issue in mobile networks. Then, we will identify the main drivers that increase energy demand. After that, I will show you where energy is actually consumed within a mobile network. We will also look at typical characteristics of energy usage that appear across different systems. I will then briefly touch on how energy consumption has evolved across mobile generations. Finally, we will connect these general ideas to the challenges introduced by 5G. This logical flow is designed to gradually build your understanding..

[Audio] To set the context, consider how much mobile traffic has increased in recent years. Services such as video streaming, cloud applications, and connected devices place growing demands on networks. At the same time, energy costs are rising, and there is strong pressure to reduce environmental impact. Mobile networks have also become more complex, with many interacting components and technologies. The objective of this section is to give you a baseline understanding of how energy is consumed in mobile networks. This baseline is essential before analysing energy flows in 5G. Think of this section as building the vocabulary and mental models you will need later. Without this foundation, it would be difficult to evaluate energy efficiency claims..

[Audio] Now let us discuss why energy consumption really matters. Energy costs make up a significant portion of a mobile operator's operating expenses. As networks grow, uncontrolled energy use can limit scalability and profitability. Energy consumption is also directly linked to carbon emissions and environmental impact. Regulators and governments increasingly expect telecom networks to meet sustainability targets. Society as a whole is more aware of the environmental cost of digital services. This means energy efficiency is no longer just a technical issue. It has become a strategic and societal concern..

[Audio] Let us now look at what drives energy demand in mobile networks. The first and most obvious driver is the continuous growth in data traffic. Users expect higher data rates, lower latency, and seamless connectivity. To meet these expectations, networks become denser, with more base stations and access points. Many network elements must remain powered on even when traffic is low. This "always-on" operation leads to high baseline energy consumption. Together, these factors explain why energy demand continues to rise. Recognising these drivers is key to identifying potential energy-saving strategies..

[Audio] Energy consumption in mobile networks is distributed across several domains. The Radio Access Network, or RAN, is usually the largest energy consumer. It includes base stations, antennas, and radio equipment deployed across wide areas. The core network consumes energy through processing, control, and service management. Transport and backhaul networks also require energy to move data between different network segments. User equipment, such as smartphones, contributes from the end-user side. While our main focus is on infrastructure, it is important to keep the whole system in mind..

[Audio] There are several typical characteristics of energy consumption in mobile networks. One key feature is high baseline power consumption, even when traffic levels are low. Energy use does not scale linearly with traffic, which reduces efficiency during off-peak hours. Base stations dominate total energy consumption, making them critical targets for optimisation. Energy use can be divided into fixed components and traffic-dependent components. Fixed components remain active regardless of load. This explains why reducing traffic alone does not lead to proportional energy savings. Understanding these characteristics is essential for identifying energy hotspots..

[Audio] When we compare mobile network generations, an interesting pattern emerges. Energy efficiency per transmitted bit has improved from 2G to 5G. However, total traffic has grown much faster than these efficiency improvements. As a result, total energy consumption has continued to increase. Each new generation introduces higher performance but also new energy demands. This creates a trade-off between performance and sustainability. It is important not to confuse efficiency gains with absolute energy reduction. This historical view helps us better evaluate 5G energy claims..

[Audio] All of the concepts we have discussed so far are directly relevant to 5G networks. 5G introduces more complex architectures and more diverse deployment scenarios. This changes how energy is distributed across the network. New energy hotspots appear due to densification and advanced processing. As a result, system-level thinking becomes essential. We can no longer analyse energy consumption by looking at single components in isolation. This section provides the conceptual foundation for understanding 5G energy flows. In the next sections, we will build on this knowledge in more detail..

[Audio] Before we conclude, let us summarise the main take-aways. Energy consumption is one of the key challenges facing modern mobile networks. Continuous traffic growth is a major driver of increasing energy demand. Base stations account for the largest share of energy use. Although energy efficiency improves with new technologies, total energy consumption often still increases. This means we must look beyond simple efficiency metrics. A system-level understanding of energy consumption is essential. Keep these points in mind as we move forward in the unit..

[Audio] To deepen your understanding, I encourage you to explore these further reading resources. IEEE publications offer extensive research on energy efficiency in mobile networks. The 3GPP website provides official technical specifications and reports. GSMA offers valuable industry perspectives on sustainability and operational efficiency. ScienceDirect hosts peer-reviewed academic studies on energy modelling and network performance. The ITU website provides a global policy and standardisation perspective. These sources will support your learning throughout this module. Use them to reinforce and expand the concepts introduced in this section..