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 throughout the world over the past decade.
Now 5G, the latest generation of wireless mobile technology said to be 100 times faster than the current standard, has started to introduce 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 hook up countless energy-saving devices and sensors that can detect pollution, monitor and regulate water use and reduce traffic congestion.
But it will be some time before this climate friendly technology is widespread in Africa; more than 50% of the continent's network coverage is currently served by 3G or lower. Preliminary research released on September 10 by Germany's Federal Environment Agency (UBA) showed that data transmission over 3G mobile networks is still one of the most widely used technologies for internet-connected devices around the world generates 90 grams of CO2 per hour of high-definition video streaming per device, factoring in the energy used by the data center 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. But the UBA research found that fixed broadband services delivered through cables were still the best when it came to emissions, with fiber-optic connections producing only 2 grams of CO2 per hour. Copper cables which have been used in circuitry and wiring for decades and are still widespread today, are responsible for around 4 grams of CO2 per hour.
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