Summary Bullets:

• Comcast has nearly doubled the energy efficiency of its network ahead of its 2030 target while also carrying 76% more data.
• Other examples of greater energy efficiency through new technology include BT Global Fabric, where the replacement of legacy platforms will see a 79% energy consumption reduction.

Comcast announced that it is near to reaching its goal of doubling its network energy efficiency ahead of its 2030 target, stating that it is “delivering dramatically more data at faster speeds and greater reliability at the highest quality for our customers, all while conserving the amount of energy needed to power our network.”

Comcast reported that it has achieved an 11% reduction in energy usage between 2019 and 2024, while at the same time carrying 76% more traffic over the same period as all customer segments use their connections for applications and services needing higher bandwidths – ranging from streaming videos to unified communications. As a result, the energy savings combined with network growth have delivered a 49% reduction in electricity per consumer byte since 2019 (from 18.4 kWh [kilowatt hour] per Terabyte to 9.3 kWh in 2024). Like many others, Comcast has noted both the increase in data as a result of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution as well as its potential to optimize network performance, including enhanced monitoring/network diagnostics, and optimization.

The other trend driving improved sustainability and efficiency in networks is the latest generation of equipment, with decommissioned legacy technology having been far less efficient. GlobalData analysis has found that replacing copper lines with fiber can be up to 85% more efficient, and power-saving measures using AI can lead to energy savings of up to 40%.

Another notable example is BT’s move to the BT Global Fabric Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) platform, which replaces multiple previous technology platforms and will result in a 79% energy consumption reduction. These technology developments and evolutions are all helping to keep telecoms service providers – national and international – in the vanguard of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Given recent flash floods in Texas (US) and wildfires across Europe and Canada, alongside further destructive climate change impacts on society and nature, these examples of progress should be celebrated and encouraged.