The 5G era is in full swing, bringing convenience but also causing some hidden concerns.
It is reported that the three major operators China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom have joined forces to take action to deal with the energy consumption of 5G base stations. The chairman of China Unicom even said that it would shut down some 5G base stations in the middle of the night. For a while, this move sparked heated discussions in the society, and people began to re-examine the environmental impact of 5G technology!
In the past few years, 5G base stations have sprung up, and 5G network coverage has been expanding across the country, and people's Internet access speed has increased significantly. Ordinary users enjoy the convenience brought by 5G, and experience novel applications such as high-definition video, VR technology, and unmanned driving. At the same time, the power consumption of 5G base stations is also quietly rising.
Some data show that the power consumption of a 5G base station is 3-4 times that of 4G. In the context of the rapid growth of the number of 5G base stations, the problem of power consumption is becoming increasingly prominent.
In addition to the increase in electricity bills, frequent charging also makes mobile phone batteries "short-lived". What's more, 5G base stations consume a lot of electricity, which means that power plants burn more coal, emit more carbon dioxide, and exacerbate the greenhouse effect. Under the goal of "carbon peak and carbon neutrality", operators are building 5G on a large scale, which seems to run counter to the requirements of energy conservation and emission reduction.
Recognizing the seriousness of the problem, the three major operators have taken positive action. Chen Zhongyue, chairman of China Unicom, announced that it will use an intelligent dispatching system to shut down some 5G base stations in the middle of the night, while ensuring that users "switch without feeling" and do not affect the user experience. This approach hits the nail on the head.
As we all know, late at night is the trough period of electricity consumption, when most people fall asleep and the demand for communication plummets. Choosing to shut down the 5G base station at this time can save a lot of power without causing user resentment.
Operators have voluntarily shut down 5G base stations, indicating that they have begun to reflect on the environmental impact of 5G and actively seek ways to save energy and reduce emissions. Under the concept of green development, the communications industry must accelerate the pace of transformation and upgrading.
In addition to optimizing the base station operation strategy, it is also necessary to start at the source, use more energy-efficient equipment, and develop more efficient transmission technology. At the same time, strengthen cooperation with environmental protection departments, explore the integration of 5G base stations and clean energy such as photovoltaic and wind power, and realize energy supply-side reform.
5G has brought many changes to our lives, but we can't ignore the energy issues behind it. This move is undoubtedly a wake-up call for the whole society to enjoy the fruits of technological development while carefully assessing its environmental impact.
As consumers, we should establish a sense of green communication, less electricity anxiety, and more environmental protection. 5G should not become a "gold swallower" of energy, but an important driver of the green transformation of the economy and society.
With the actions of the three major operators, more enterprises will follow suit, actively fulfill their social responsibilities, and explore their own ways of energy conservation and emission reduction.
The era of green communications is coming, and everyone should become an environmentally friendly 5G user. Let us work together to write a new chapter in which 5G and ecological civilization complement each other.