Total number of hybrid energy 5G base stations

How many 5G base stations are there?

These predicted station numbers are considerably smaller than the business-projected 6-million stations, even for the BDDL = 100 % case under the S2 scenario that yielded the number of 5G base stations at 5.03 million, still one million smaller than the business-estimated 5G base stations. This number, however, is implausible.

How much CO2 will China's 5G network produce?

Under the model predicted 5G base stations, China's 5G network could yield 0.15–0.29 GtCO2 /yr emissions subject to the nation's BDDL from 40 to 80 % by 2030. Both 5G base stations and CO 2 emissions are significantly lower than the previous estimates.

How much electricity will China's 5G network consume in 2030?

Under the scenario of business-estimated six million base stations in 2030, the share of electricity consumed by China's 5G networks in 2030 could reach 8.4 % of the national total power generation, causing 0.44 GtCO2 /yr CO 2 emissions.

Does China have a 5G network?

Given that China currently has the largest 5G network in the world (∼1.53 million base stations by the end of 2021, Table S1) and that base station number was projected by up to 6–8 million by 2030 (CCID Consulting, 2020), concerns are being expressed regarding 5G mobile networks' environmental effects and sustainability.