Dr Martin Sonnenschein of consultants A.T. Kearney estimates that the 3 billion GSM / UMTS subscribers in the world consume between 0.5% and 0.55% of the world’s electricity needs, just in using their phones! He’s worked out that this is about the output of 10 average European nuclear power plants.
Martin comments “the ensuing CO2 output amounts to 36-40 million tons and is equivalent to the exhaust produced by approximately 20 million compact cars.”
So, for the first time as part of its 14th annual awards, the GSM Association –the world’s more than 750 GSM mobile phone networks in 218 countries – is including an award for “Green” initiatives. And A.T. Kearney is sponsoring the award. As Dr Sonnenschein says, the awards provide an opportunity for companies in the mobile industry to gain independent recognition for their work, noting “with the Green Mobile Award, the GSMA is sending a critical message to the communications industry. We are happy to sponsor the award, especially as it is in keeping with our firm’s own sustainability strategy.”
The independent panel of analysts, journalists and specialist experts will select the winner at the GSM Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in mid February from the following shortlist:
• Smart Communications Alternative power for cell sites program
• Nokia Siemens Networks Environmentally Sustainable Business Initiative
• Vodafone Reducing Network Energy Use
• Alcatel-Lucent Eco-sustainable Communications Transformation
• Telenor Climate Change Programme
