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3G For A Better Environment |
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Written by Adam Gosling
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Tuesday, 12 February 2008 |
A new study sponsored by Ericsson and Telstra which
set out to determine the productivity improvements gained from the
deployment ofTelstra's Next G HSPA network has found that business users can actually reduce their carbon footprint by using the network.
The study in carbon usage was a companion study to the productivity
study that was recently announced by the two companies. Ericsson is
participating in the studybecause it manufactured and installed the equipment that runs the 3G network.
Conducted by independent consultancy firm Econtech,
the study found that many business users were able to reduce the
kilometres they travelled., but also reduced the number of documents
they printed which led to a reduction in their carbon footprint at work
by as much as 17 per cent. Theaverage was between five and ten per cent.
None of the respondents were able to identify any increase in work
practices that would lead to negative environmental impacts from the
use of their mobile phones and the Econtech report acknowledged it was
not able to consider the
"whole of life" environmental impacts related to mobile networks and
mobile handsets, for example the proper disposal and recycling of the
handsets.
Many users reported that due to the better reception and coverage and faster
speeds, they are able to stay out of their office longer and still
perform work thereby reducing the number of trips back to the office to access information held there.
This led
to reductions in the number of kilometres driven and consequently lower fuel consumption, which resulted in an average of
30kg of CO2 per week per user (roughly 120km of driving) saved.
Some respondents indicated they
use less paper by reading more material electronically. Without the
mobile facilities to take the material with them, many would print
information to take with them on business
trips, just in case they needed it. By feeling confident they would be
able to access the information remotely they avoided the need to print
it out.
Econtech conducted detailed interviews with 26
businesses, from 15 industries, with an average seven-and-a-half month
usage of Next G.Participants were asked to identify the extent to
which the use of mobile broadband reduced the kilometres they drove,
and the extent to which their use of paper and physical mail was
reduced.
The extent of reductions varied by individual and industry,
with the greatest reductions being achieved by mobile sales staff
covering large territories.
Bill Zikou, President, Ericsson Australia, says:
"Ericsson believes that information and communication technology will
play a key role in shaping a low carbon economy for the future.
Ericsson is consciously investigating ways to reduce carbon emissions
through the smart use of telecommunications. This study is one concrete
example where this ambition has been realized in a developed market."
Dr. Philip Burgess, Telstra's Group Managing
Director of Public Policy and Communication, added: "The
telecommunications sector is uniquely placed to provide important
services that can yield nationally significant reductions in greenhouse
gas emissions. This report has identified yet another way in which the
astute use of high-capacity mobile broadband can simultaneously
improve business productivity and reduce environmental impact."
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