The Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) Alliance, which has started work to define 6G, said the Green Future Networks project will have targets that include improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and increasing the use of recyclable materials.

“NGMN is in a unique position to consolidate a common view in the operator’s community to foster the adoption of green solutions, including a common methodology for end-to-end life cycle analysis and eco-design of products,” said Ana Maria Galindo Serrano (pictured), a telecoms engineer at Orange who is responsible for green ITN performance and communication.

She will lead the NGMN Alliance’s Green Future Networks project. She said: “This shared view is essential for enabling a coherent and common green strategy among telcos, and to fulfil the requirements of regulators and the next customers’ generation.”

The project strives to address the industry’s social responsibility over the impact of the mobile ecosystem on the environment, said NGMN, which is leading the process of defining the next generation of mobile network infrastructure, service platforms and devices.

NGMN Alliance CEO Anita Döhler said: “Creating a cleaner and more sustainable mobile network ecosystem is of the utmost global importance and, therefore, one of our main goals.”

Döhler added: “We are proud to bring together the entire NGMN Alliance to jointly work on taking action to contribute our share in reducing the risks and effects of climate change, while at the same time achieving significant cost savings for our operator partners as well as many other industry players.”

The NGMN Alliance said that increasing the usage of green technology and enabling networks with greater energy efficiency is fundamental for operators, since the number and type of customers, connected devices and traffic will continue to grow significantly over the next few years, which may result in an increase of network energy consumption.

To tackle this topic, the project will look into the use of renewable energy to reduce the energy carbon footprint and discuss insights on the reduction of the environmental footprint of networks.