As digital transformation accelerates, balancing technological progress with environmental sustainability has become a critical challenge. At the 2024 AI for Good Global Summit , Guirong Wang , General Manager of the Science and Technology Innovation Department at China Telecom , discussed the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enabling greener cloud and network infrastructure operations. The company is actively integrating AI into its systems to reduce energy consumption and drive sustainability efforts .
Tackling Energy Consumption Challenges
With the expansion of 5G networks and AI-driven services , energy consumption has increased significantly. 5G base stations require more than three times the energy of 4G networks to maintain enhanced connectivity, creating additional challenges for telecom operators. Data centers, essential to the digital economy, also consume vast amounts of power , and the growing demand for AI accelerates the need for high-performance energy solutions.
To address these concerns, China Telecom launched the “AI+” initiative , which incorporates AI into green construction, green operation, and green empowerment strategies. The company set ambitious goals to enhance energy efficiency by at least 20% in 5G and cloud computing operations while reducing energy consumption per business unit by at least 13% by 2022 .
AI-Powered Green Operations
As part of its sustainability initiatives, China Telecom has developed AI-driven optimization algorithms to monitor, analyze, and adjust network operations in real time. A key achievement in this area is the 5G Co-construction and Sharing initiative with China Unicom , which led to the creation of the world’s largest and fastest 5G network . This collaboration has resulted in annual electricity savings exceeding 20 billion kilowatt hours .
In addition to network efficiency, the company established a nationwide intelligent energy-saving platform that integrates AI models, big data analytics, and base station energy-saving technology . Managing more than 4.9 million 4G and 5G cells , this platform has improved 5G base station energy efficiency by an average of 16%, leading to annual electricity savings of 700 million kilowatt hours .
Furthermore, China Telecom has implemented AI-driven energy-saving platforms in data centers and equipment rooms . These platforms analyze real-time heat distribution data and dynamically adjust cooling settings, replacing traditional cooling methods with smart AI-powered cooling systems . Currently deployed in over 1,700 machine rooms , these systems contribute to annual electricity savings exceeding 80 million kilowatt hours .
Driving a Greener Society
Beyond its internal sustainability efforts, China Telecom is also advancing digital transformation solutions that contribute to significant greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions . In 2022, the company’s total GHG emissions were approximately 16 million tons , yet its technologies facilitated a GHG reduction of over 100 million tons , an eightfold offset that underscores the crucial role telecom providers can play in global sustainability efforts .
China Telecom’s “1-2-4-8” green development strategy focuses on technological innovation, the green transformation of cloud and network infrastructure, and accelerating the digitization of industries .
Through AI and digital innovation , the company continues to advance low-carbon, high-efficiency, and sustainable solutions . By embedding AI into its operations, China Telecom is not only leading technological progress but also setting a benchmark for sustainable development in the telecommunications industry .
