Energy costs represent one of the largest operating expenses for fixed and mobile telecommunications operators worldwide.

In an effort to reduce energy expenses, in addition to lessening the environmental impact of network operations, many service providers are investing in more energy-efficient infrastructure equipment that will significantly reduce the power consumption of their networks, and thereby also decrease the effective carbon emissions associated with telecom networks.

Clint Wheelock, president of Pike Research, said: “The last generation of telecom networks was not always designed with energy efficiency in mind. But increasingly, energy is a top-of-mind priority for network operators around the world.

“The opportunity is largest for mobile network operators, which we expect will represent almost two-thirds of the green telecom market. This focus is especially relevant as mobile operators deploy 4G networks at scale over the next few years.”

Mr Wheelock adds that, with a need to balance a surging subscriber base with environmental concerns, the Asia Pacific region will lead the way in green mobile network spending, representing nearly half the total spend by 2014. European operators are also highly focused on energy efficiency, and the region will amount to an estimated 26 percent of total green mobile CAPEX by 2014.

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