Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have unearthed a potential breakthrough in mobile network efficiency: bolstering the density of 5G masts. Their findings suggest that this strategy could significantly reduce a mobile network’s energy consumption by up to two-thirds while concurrently enhancing the battery longevity of smartphones. Currently, mobile phone signals emanate in all directions from towers, leading to substantial energy wastage through absorption, reflection, and scattering.
Agrim Gupta and his team pinpoint the pivotal role of minimizing the distance of wireless transmissions in maximizing efficiency. By reducing this distance, each cell can operate more effectively, curtailing unnecessary energy expenditure. This optimization not only promises to slash overall energy consumption but also offers the tantalizing prospect of substantially extending the operational lifespan of phone batteries. Through strategic placement and densification of 5G masts, the researchers aim to harness these benefits and revolutionize the sustainability and performance of mobile networks.
