Further clarification regarding 5G energy consumption

9.3.2021

Question for written answer  E-001321/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Ivan Vilibor Sinčić (NI)

In its answer to my previous Written Question[1] on the predicted increase in total energy consumption due to the implementation of 5G, the Commission stated that 5G networks are to reduce energy consumption by up to 90 % per transferred data unit.

‘Consumption per transferred data unit’ is purely statistical information. Energy consumption of 5G sites (measured in kWh) is contingent on the energy consumption of installed equipment, not on transferred data units. The Commission’s answer suggests that total energy consumption will significantly decrease. In fact, due to the need for more antennas and a denser layer of small cells, it is estimated that the implementation of 5G will cause a significant increase in total energy consumption[2][3].

Please could the Commission answer the remaining questions of my previous Written Question[4]:

• 1.Does the Commission have an estimate on the increase in electricity and energy consumption that 5G deployment will entail?
• 2.How much more electricity and energy will the new 5G network use compared to existing 2G, 3G and 4G networks?
• 3.How is the electricity and energy consumption of the 5G network linked to the number of user devices under the Internet of Things concept?

• [1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P-9-2020-006513-ASW_EN.html
• [2] https://www.fiercewireless.com/tech/5g-base-stations-use-a-lot-more-energy-than-4g-base-stations-says-mtn
• [3] https://international.thenewslens.com/article/141712?fbclid=IwAR1jbfc9O-2W0DWIp2dDE-R0m-_AVqR3xxfH_u990Bc4RoY7vxwAZ973_tM
• [4] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P-9-2020-006513_EN.html