How many 5G base stations are built in China?

As 5G serves as the foundation for the construction of new infrastructure, China, as the world leader in 5G base station construction, has already built over 1.4 million 5G base stations in 2021 alone. In the same year, 5G base stations in China produced approximately 49.2 million tons of CO 2 eq.

Are 5G base stations sustainable?

However, due to their high radio frequency and limited coverage, the construction and operation of 5G base stations can lead to significant energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. To address this challenge, scholars have focused on developing sustainable 5G base stations.

Why are micro base stations important in 5G planning?

Micro base stations, on the other hand, are smaller and more flexible, allowing them to supplement the peripheral communication that cannot be covered by macro stations, thereby improving communication quality and capacity. Therefore, micro stations play a critical role in 5G planning.

How much power does a micro base station use?

The power consumption of a single macro base station is approximately 5 kW, whereas a Pico Cell requires only about 10 W (Bolla et al., 2012; Deruyck et al., 2014; Hu & Yi, 2014). Deploying multiple micro base stations to cover the blind spots of a macro base station will reduce power consumption during operation, thereby reducing carbon emissions.

Can macro base stations be used in 5G networks?

Thus, deploying macro base stations on a large scale is not feasible for 5G networks. Micro base stations, on the other hand, are smaller and more flexible, allowing them to supplement the peripheral communication that cannot be covered by macro stations, thereby improving communication quality and capacity.