Massive 5G electricity costs are in focus ahead of the global build
For example, as an initial 5G buildout, a Chinese operator recently added 100,000 5G ready base station sites averaging 10kW each – that''s 1 GW of energy! At a PUE of 1.5,
Setting up a 5G base station is expensive, with costs ranging from $100,000 to $200,000 per site. This price includes hardware, installation, site rental, and maintenance. Urban areas often have higher costs due to land prices and infrastructure challenges.
That's almost a threefold increase compared to 4G (5). One 5G base station is estimated to consume about as much power as 73 households (6), and 3x as much as the previous generation of base stations (5), (7).
Here's a look at the main costs involved: The core network is the backbone of your private 5G setup. Investing in core network equipment can cost around $300,000 initially, with annual licensing fees that may reach $100,000. However, as the market grows, these costs are expected to decrease, making it more affordable for enterprises.
The total cost of 5G infrastructure is staggering, with projections estimating that telecom companies will spend over $2 trillion globally by 2030. This includes investments in spectrum, network densification, fiber backhaul, energy-efficient infrastructure, and emerging technologies such as AI and automation.
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