This technical report explores how network energy saving technologies that have emerged since the 4G era, such as carrier shutdown, channel shutdown, symbol shutdown etc., can be leveraged to mitigate 5G energy consumption.
5G networks divide coverage areas into smaller zones called cells, enabling devices to connect to local base stations via radio. Each station connects to the broader telephone network and the Internet through high-speed optical fiber or wireless backhaul.
One of the biggest challenges with 5G is its energy consumption. A typical 5G base station consumes three times more power than a 4G station. This is due to the need for higher frequencies, greater bandwidth, and more antennas to ensure connectivity.
Japan had over 100,000 active 5G base stations by 2023 Japan's 5G network is expanding rapidly, with over 100,000 active base stations by 2023. The country has taken a strategic approach, focusing on major urban centers first and gradually expanding to rural areas.
A battery energy storage system (BESS), battery storage power station, battery energy grid storage (BEGS) or battery grid storage is a type of energy storage technology that uses a group of batteries in the grid to store electrical energy.
Battery storage power plants and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) are comparable in technology and function. However, battery storage power plants are larger. For safety and security, the actual batteries are housed in their own structures, like warehouses or containers.
A public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has been advancing energy solutions and working to protect the environment since 1975. The Battery Energy Storage System Guidebook contains information, tools, and step-by-step instructions to support local governments managing battery energy storage system development in their communities.
As of May 2025, China's cumulative BESS installations are reported at 106.9 GW and 240.3 GWh, with global battery storage deployment of nearly 9 GWh in April 2025.
In data collected between July 2022 and June 2024, China was reported to have had around 3.5 million 5G base stations installed across the country, with Chinese mobile operators investing heavily in 5G infrastructure. By comparison, the European Union had around 460,000 thousand base stations, while the United States had approximately 175,000.
The U.S. has ambitious plans for 5G expansion, aiming to have more than 300,000 active base stations by 2025. This goal is being driven by investment from private telecom providers and government initiatives like the Rural 5G Fund. For businesses in the U.S., this means increasing access to high-speed connectivity.
To solve this, telecom companies are installing indoor 5G base stations, which are growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 30%. For businesses operating in offices, malls, or large commercial spaces, installing indoor 5G solutions can greatly enhance connectivity.
With millions of base stations in operation, 5G networks generate an enormous amount of data. It's estimated that 5G base stations worldwide produce more than 500 petabytes of data daily. This data includes network traffic, user behavior, and real-time analytics from connected devices. For telecom providers, managing this data is a major challenge.
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