If there’s one thing the telecom industry is buzzing about in 2025, it’s energy efficiency. According to a recent GSMA Intelligence survey from The Mobile Economy 2025 report, network operators and vendors are laser-focused on making networks greener in the coming years. It’s not just a trendy talking point—it’s a top priority, outshining many other industry concerns. And there are two big reasons why: cutting costs and embracing sustainability.
Let’s break it down. Energy isn’t cheap—it makes up roughly 20% of an operator’s operational expenses. In today’s 5G networks, the radio network alone gobbles up a whopping 82% of that energy. So, it’s no surprise that finding ways to trim power usage is a hot topic.
Fast forward to MWC 2025, where Telenor and Ericsson grabbed attention with a cool new project. They’ve teamed up to create a proof of concept for an Agentic AI system that’s smart enough to tweak Radio Access Network (RAN) capacity and power consumption on the fly. The results? Simulations show it could slash energy use in radio units by up to 4%—and that’s on top of the power-saving tricks Telenor’s already using. Pretty impressive, right?
This isn’t just a one-off story. It’s a sign of a bigger shift. Energy savings, cost reduction, and network optimization are now make-or-break priorities for telecom operators. And here’s where it gets interesting: AI is stepping up as the game-changer. As Sebastian Barros pointed out in a recent LinkedIn post that’s got people talking, AI needs to be everywhere—every process, every function, every corner of the business. The transformation ahead is massive, but the stakes are even higher. Ignore it, and you risk fading into irrelevance.
So, what’s the takeaway? The telecom world isn’t just adapting—it’s reinventing itself. And with energy efficiency and AI leading the charge, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year. What do you think—can AI really transform the industry this radically? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
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