In the rush to inflict the world with 5G service the downside of the amount of electrical energy to power the networks is not discussed and often ignored. It is esy to look at ones cell phone or tablet and think how could such a small device contribute to excessive energy production and consumption globally. But it does more than most realise. From the frequent recharging the new generation phones and device will require to the switchmode power supply used for the recharging and left in the outlet after charging when it is still using power to the massive server farms that stores the data/video etc and the massive amount of energy radiated out into the environment and not used by the network the electrical cost is high and along with that cost is the cost to the environment to produce the electricity whether it is a dam flooding productive farm land or coal or natural gas fired generation the cost to the environment is huge to supply a little bit of data we could do with out.
Estimates vary as to how much more electricity our fascination with all things internet will increase. Some suggest the increase in IT power consumption will increase by over 200 % by 2035 others suggest that in a few years time if present growth trends continue the power needed to power the internet will exceed our ability to generate electricity.
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