Green Telecom Technology (GTT): Think Green A STEP TO ACHIEVE IMPROVED TECHNO-ENVIRONMENTAL

Section A: Papers of General Policy Interest, Physical Sciences & Technology

Science, Technology & Development

Vol. 29, No. 4 (October-December) 2010

Green Telecom Technology (GTT): Think Green A STEP

TO ACHIEVE IMPROVED TECHNO-ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS IN PAKISTAN
Ch. Mahmood Anwar* The purpose of this research is development of know-how about the worldwide technoenvironmental effects of telecom/ICT industry and proposal of a strategy to cope with this hazardous issue. Our main focus is to develop a strategy to minimize the pollution-level (Energy-consumption, Waste, Green-House Gases (GHG) emission, including CO2) in the environment produced by telecom/ICT industry of Pakistan. We want to save our environment by introducing not only environment-friendly Green Telecom Technology (GTT), but our main theme is to convert the thinking of our carriers and public from black to green technologies. We shall analyze the socio-economic effects of going green. This research also suggests the concept of green-tax to government, which could be helpful to increase government equity. KEYWORDS: Techno-environmental effects, Telecom/ICT, Global warming, Green-House Gas (GHG) emission, Green technology, Green tax.
I. INTRODUCTION

ESEARCH and development in various engineering and industrial sectors is beneficial for mankind and essential in order to get better socio-economic effects, especially for developing countries. Today, the main focus of researchers is to develop new technologies with minimum side-effects to human beings. Major study-area of todays researchers is to minimize the pollution in our environment. As we know, the relationship of man with his environment is as antediluvian as the birth of humans. It is our prime responsibility to clean our environment, so as to save life on the globe. The most dangerous things that are annihilating our lives are smoke, increased emissions of GHGs, toxic wastes, radiations and higher levels of energy-consumption [1]. We know that earths atmosphere consists of oxygen, a large amount of nitrogen, and a small amount of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases

act like the casing of a greenhouse capturing & retaining heat from the sun and making life on this globe possible. Without Greenhouse gases, too much heat would escape and the surface of the sphere would freeze. However, increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere causes the earth to heat up more (i.e. global warming) and the climate to transform. Over the past 40-100 years, increasing industrialisation and human activity (such as detonations, agriculture, industry and transportation) have aggregated to distress the natural climate-equilibrium. The material flow in our economy is actually a measure of pressure of humans to make pollution in our environment [2]. These actions are escalating the amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere and causing the earth not only to heat up, but to heat up at an extraordinary rate. This progression is known as global warming, but it is better to think of it as

(*) RIPHAH International University, Islamabad, Pakistan. <primehymno@yahoo.com>

Science, Technology & Development Vol. 29, No. 4 (October-December) 2010

climate change, because there exists probability of extreme events like floods, thunderstorm, typhoon, famine and landslips, rather than just an augmentation in temperature [3]. We are interested in the contribution of Telecom/ICT industry to this climate-change, pollution and increased energy-consumption [4]. The growth of telecom/ICT industry is worldwide and now gaining popularity in developing nations, like Pakistan. International research shows that networks that buttress Internet and wireless communications emit 300 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas into the atmosphere per year; this amount is equal to the pollution generated by 50 million autos [5]. Currently, the ICT industry accounts for 3% of global carbon emissions [4], and the heat produced due to energy-consumption is increasing global warming, which is dangerous for ozone layer and our life.
II. SCOPE AND BENIFITS

By developing green philosophy in our minds, thoughts and implementations of telecom/ICT industry, we can contribute in reducing global warming and pollution produced by telecom industry and, hence, save our lives. Initially Green was just a concept, then it become linked with technology and now it is in its developing stage; it should be implemented by carriers and manufacturers of communication services. People think that environmental issues are in the category of ethics and, of course, these are. Going beyond ethical appeal and the publicrelationship (PR) value of the issue, there are very genuine economic and financial benefits accruing to carriers going green [1].
III. THE WORLDS PERSPECTIVE ABOUT

to the report. Respondents were asked whether they would be more likely to buy mobile services or mobile handsets from an operator with green initiatives, described as one that gives money to organizations seeking to help the environment, actively employs programs that reduce its carbonfootprint and buys network equipment from green equipment vendors. Wireless operators should take notice, said ABI analyst Jeff Orr, Green issues were not even a talking point a couple of years back. Now, subscribers of all age-groups are expressing awareness of and interest in eco-friendly devices and service incentives. The service providers first to connect with environmentally conscious businesses and consumer subscribers will have an advantage in riding this growing trend, Orr said [6]. Presently, most developed countries, and developing countries like U.K, U.S.A, Thailand, U.A.E, Qatar and India, are working on the green issue formally or informally. According to The Insight Research Corporation, U.S.A., the green telecommunication portfolio adopted by a company could be a dollar sign ($). The portfolio analysis has been made for different companies having ordinary and green facilities. As Figure 1 below indicates, the speculated increase on green-communication investments worldwide at a CAGR of 34 percent over the period (2008-2013), while total subscribers to green communications solutions are estimated to increase at a CAGR of 36 percent over the same period.
300 250 200 150 100 50 0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
YEA R

GREEN Almost half of North American mobile consumers are likely to be influenced by suppliers green credentials when buying telecom services or devices, according to a report by ABI Research. Of 1,000 respondents, 41 percent said they would be significantly more likely to buy services from telecom providers with green credibility, and 45 percent said they would be more likely to buy devices from telecom companies that are seen as green, the report said. Younger consumers showed greater interest than others in green telecom companies, according

Fig. 1: Worldwide Green Communications Technologies Increasing Revenues, 2008-2013 ($Billions), Source (The Insight Research Corporation U.S.A)

Green Telecom Technology (GTT): Think Green A STEP TO ACHIEVE IMPROVED TECHNO-ENVIRONMENTAL

By 2013, business and consumer green communications revenues will reach approximately $257 billion, out of total worldwide telecommunications service revenue that is forecast to reach approximately $1.2 trillion. Worldwide subscribers using green communications technology approximate three billion, or the majority of world-wide communications subscribers [1]. Alcatel-Lucent, Bell Labs and partners, such as China Mobile, Telefonica and AT&T, have now structured a consortium called Green Touch that promises to improve networking equipment that will reduce energy-consumption by a factor of 1,000; this will become helpful in reducing emissions from this process [5]. The result of Insights research is tantamount to the ABIs survey report discussed earlier. So we have empirical evidences to support our hypothesis that green telecom/ICT has stronger economic and financial benefits. We show, in Fig. 2, a model developed by the author.

The above model shows that, if existing telecommunication system implements the green technology, then the green telecom system will reduce the smoke, GHG emissions, toxic waste, radiations and heat produced by conventional telecom systems. This also leads to better technoenvironmental and socio-economic effects. According to Resource Based View (RBV) theory, telecom companies have lot of resources and can invest in green and then, according to Industrial Organizational (IO) theory, the trend of telecom companies are in best position so the new technology will be successful.
IV. INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT LAWS
ABOUT TELECOM

Presently, we do not have any evidence that any environment protection agency is working on environmental issues like global warming and energy consumption produced by telecom/ICT sector in Pakistan. Pakistan Telecommunication Act 1996 is silent on this issue. Unfortunately, Environment Act 1997 of Pakistan does not cope with this issue [7]. We are interested in evidence to support our scheme and we have found that, in June 2000, U.S. forced all the telecom companies to strictly observe and compliance Clean Water Act (CWA), Clean Air Act (CAA), Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA) and Emergency Planning and Community Right-toKnow Act (EPCRA), through an enforcement alert. These enforcement requirements were triggered by the use of lead-acid batteries and diesel-powered backup generators that provide uninterrupted power to telecommunications facilities. EPA has found widespread complianceproblems associated with the use of these backup power-sources, at many telecommunications facilities. In case of violation by any telecom company, large penalties are charged e.g. on March 7, 2000, under a settlement finalized with EPA, MCI WorldCom, Inc., agreed to conduct environmental compliance audits of its facilities nationwide and pay a penalty of $625,000 to resolve 216 violations of the EPCRA, CWA, and CAA at 153 of its facilities in 29 States and the District of Columbia. the This shows that U.S. EPA is monitoring all anti-environment activities by telecom

Fig. 2 Anwars Green Telecom Model

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companies. The clean water act (CWA) is required to help prevent or contain spills and keep hazardous chemicals from polluting streams, rivers and other bodies of water. Larger telecommunications facilities (central offices, mobile telephone switching offices, and garages) may store fuel-oil for back-up generators or vehicle fleets. The clean-air act (CAA) defines plans to implement, maintain, and enforce ambient air-quality standards and to include, in their implementation plans, regulation of the modification and construction of any stationary source within the area covered by the plan. In addition, the CAA regulates refrigerants, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). These refrigerants may be found in air-conditioning units used to cool sensitive equipment. Companies should review their compliance with these requirements found in Section 608 of the CAA and 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F. Under Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA), telephone operations may result in the generation of hazardous-waste streams. Generators of hazardous waste are responsible for properly identifying and managing their hazardous-waste program under RCRA. Telephone facilities that have underground storage tanks may be subject to RCRA. Leaking under-ground storage tanks (UST) can cause contamination of ground-water supplies and possible fires, explosions and vapour hazards. Owners and operators of under-ground storage tanks must upgrade, replace or close existing substandard underground storage tank systems, upgrading may involve adding spill, overfill and corrosion protection to the UST [8].
V. RESEARCH SURVEY IN PAKISTAN

implementation of green telecom/ICT, to save the globe, and respondents also favour those companies who will provide green services. We can speculate that green telecom could be a giant in terms of revenue generation and the green concept has potential for other industries in terms of power saving. Pakistan, being an energydeficient country, should promote those technologies which use renewable-energy generation systems, such as green technology. Presently, Pakistan has very little contribution in 3% global carbon emission, and in Pakistan manufacturing facilities of telecom equipment are not available. The purpose of research is always broader in concepts and has a vision. Presently, green could be implemented in telecom service facilities of Pakistan and contribution of every country is required to cope with remaining 97% of carbon emission by Telecom/ICT industry [9]. In the last year, Warid and Telenor telecom installed the solar base station, which is an appreciable initiative towards implementation of green concept [10].
VI. GREEN AN EMERGENCE OF MANY
TECHNOLOGIES

Green technology is not a closed concept. It is an open type of technology which comprise many natural and applied technologies. We can say that promoting green is actual promotion of many technologies, such as:

Environment Technology, Telecom Technology, Electronics Technology, Renewable Energy Technologies, Waste reduction & Recycling Technology.

We carried out a research survey in different universities, organizations and directly to public of Pakistan, who are the main user of telecom services. The instruments used for sample survey are direct interview, telecon and virtual conversation sessions, where virtual sessions also include many foreigners. We provided them the concepts of existing telecom and green telecom; general environment issues were well known to most of respondents, but we told them the issues such as global warming, GHG emissions and wastage produced by telecom/ICT industry. Approximately 60% of the respondents favour the

Look at the above technologies: the green technology can revolutionize all of them. The reason behind the scene is, the green technology uses all the above-mentioned technologies in implementation.
VII. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY FOR GREEN

International Telecommunication Union (ITU) identified the role of telecommunications in environmental protection in Resolution 8 of the WTDC-94, Resolution 35 of the Plenipotentiary 1994 and Recommendation 7 of the WTDC-98. ITU recommend this type of project (but without using word green) to reduce emissions of

Green Telecom Technology (GTT): Think Green A STEP TO ACHIEVE IMPROVED TECHNO-ENVIRONMENTAL

greenhouse gases, and in particular CO2, thereby diminishing atmospheric pollution and protecting the ozone layer, which is under serious threat. The second benefit is the positive effect on the energy situation, through savings in consumption [11]. Although green is a spacious concept, but according to our research we have identified key concepts to implement green technology; the technology is not limited but we have our own limits. The following implementation points can be followed by telecom organizations:

Plantation in country and in telecom offices and at site.

Green technology is not limited to these points, as it is the focus of research for todays researchers; many new horizons will be discovered in future.
VIII. GREEN TAX

Reduce solid waste and air pollution, Educate the nation about green concept, Use of solar and wind-power generators for base stations, Use of green electronics reduce powerconsumption and dissipation, Careful use of air-conditioning systems for telecom equipment and offices, Innovative Carbon Offsetting Programmes, Network-Sharing for Energy efficiency and reduced costs, Deploying Networks, in rural off-grid locations, with alternative energy supplies, Protect the water-resources from wastage, such as hazardous chemicals, sulphuric acid, diesel fuel, lead, halon, and propane, Recycling of paper, glass, metal and all plastics, Composting (tea bags, green waste, fruit, etc), Rainwater harvesting - for the toilets, Reduce our energy consumption by increased energy-efficiency, If required, always replacing electric products with AAA rated appliances, Continuing to reduce paper usage within the office, Complying with relevant environmental legislation and implementing systems and procedures to assure compliance, Training employees, within their working practices, for green, Educating suppliers in the sound understanding of environmental impact and waste-reduction,

As stated, U.S. EPA penalized MCI WorldCom, Inc due to major violations of EPCRA, CWA, and CAA. The MCI WorldCom, Inc agreed to pay penalty and was ready to audit all its facilities. The company paid $625,000 to resolve 216 violations of the EPCRA, CWA, and CAA. In addition, the company has paid $50,000 in fixed penalties for 312 EPCRA violations found at 100 out of 233 facilities audited [8]. We are using this information as a ground and recommend our government to implement green system and, in case of violations from service-providing companies, the government can penalize companies or can introduce the green tax. The percentage of the tax can be determined by using taxation techniques. This will not only compel the companies to implement the green technology, but will also increase government equity.
IX. CONCLUSIONS

The present research proves the green telecom/ICT technology as a dollar sign for the future. The research and implementation of this technology will also ameliorate many applied and natural technologies, as discussed. The main advantage of going green is to save energy, as Pakistan is an energy-deficient country; government must take serious initiatives in this regard. The research shows that green telecom can bring better techno-environmental and socioeconomic effects to Pakistan, and other industries can also take advantages of going green. Pak EPA and PTA should regulate the implementation of green standards, which will not only help in saving our environment but also increase government equity. REFERENCES [1] Communication Green The Research Corporation Jun.2008. Insight

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[2] Environmental Impact of Telecommunication System & Services by Manuele Margni, Olivier Jolliet Apr.2001. [3] Ministry of Environment New Zealand website www.mfe.govt.nz. [4] Green Telecom website www.green telecom.com [5] Going Green: Telecom Industry Vows To Re-engineer Worlds Communications Networks Jennifer L. Schenker on January 12, 2010 [6] Green Electronics Daily May.2009.

[7] Pakistan Telecommunication Act 1996. [8] US EPA Enforcement Alert jun. 2000. [9] Global Green Telecom Summit Nov, 2009. [10] The Road to Green Telecom Networks by Babar Bhati Jan, 2009. [11] Telecommunication and Environment by ITU web site www.itu.int. [12] Green Telecom The Path to sustainable telecommunication services Aug. 2008. [13] Environmental charter for North American Telecommunication Industry.

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