Rising Energy Bill Could Hold Back Cellular Infrastructure

Rising energy costs due to failing western action are pushing up the cost of living for millions worldwide, but cellular network providers have also suggested that increasing bills will limit the rollout of 5G. What challenges does 5G have, why do energy bills heavily affect 5G, and how does this demonstrate the link between inaction and technological advances?

What challenges does 5G face?

Of all cellular technologies to have been introduced, none have been as controversial as 5G. From whacky conspiracy theories suggesting that 5G signals cause COVID to the outright rage caused by local residences of newly installed 5G masts, there has been no shortage of hate towards the new cellular technology. And yet, 5G will bring about so many new conveniences for customers, including higher bandwidths, lower latencies, and improved software services. 

Furthermore, those who complain about the installation of 5G towers are ironically the very customers who are increasing the demand in that area (as the expensive nature of 5G means that they are only installed in areas where they will be utilised). Thus, the very people who want 5G are complaining about its installation (ironic). 

But for all the benefits that 5G will bring about, it faces numerous challenges. By far, the biggest challenge faced with 5G is the severely limited range. Engineers are deploying various tactics to increase bandwidth, including directional antennas, beamforming, and more dedicated radio spectrums. 

However, one of the quickest (and easiest) methods for increasing bandwidth is to use higher frequency microwaves. But increasing the frequency of EM waves reduces its effective range because it reduces penetrative power. As such, 5G networks require far more towers to be installed compared to 4G installations, and this introduces numerous infrastructural cost challenges. Each tower needs to be licensed by local governments, built, and frequently inspected.

Another challenge faced with 5G networks is that different operators bid for different channel frequencies. The range of these frequencies varies sufficiently enough that operators on the lower end of the spectrum cannot provide the same bandwidth as those operating on higher frequencies. Therefore, 5G customers can have sporadic coverage and not experience network consistency.

Network providers warn that high bills could limit the 5G rollout

Despite the numerous challenges faced by 5G technologies, network providers continue to roll out 5G worldwide, with the US and Asia seeing significant coverage. However, Europe is not seeing the same degree of integration as other developed nations, and a recent comment from a senior executive from Vodafone explains why. 

According to a senior executive from Vodafone, further 5G development in Europe could be hindered by the ever-rising electricity costs. The amount of energy needed by individual towers combined with the need for many of these towers results in large energy bills, and the rising energy costs in Europe will seriously affect profit margins. Furthermore, the installation of new towers is fuelled by profits generated from 5G network coverage, and rising energy bills will make investing in new network technologies more difficult.

How does this demonstrate the link between inaction and technological advances?

If one trend has been proven to be true, it’s that energy availability directly corresponds to technological advances. The more energy available to humans, the easier it is to integrate technology into everyday life while simultaneously making it easier to develop new technologies. The industrial revolution released the power of coal, the founding of oil brought about new sciences, and nuclear energy helped to provide low-carbon energy in abundance.

Despite this well-known fact, Europe (including the UK) has made itself dependent on third-party energy sources over the past few decades, and this has gotten to the point where even the smallest market events can see rapid changes in energy costs. In fact, the situation is so severe that Germany decided to eliminate all but one of its nuclear power stations, turn to renewables, and solely rely on Russian gas, which hasn’t exactly worked out for them. France recognised the strength of nuclear energy and went all in, which has massively paid off. The UK has had a more balanced approach with some gas, some renewables, and some nuclear, and while the UK is still seeing significant energy rises, it is not as severe as Germany. 

Governments have spent years making their nations energy-dependent yet have done nothing but drone on the importance of cooperation and renewable energy. As unpopular as Donald Trump was, he did one thing right: making the US energy-independent (something that has been planned since the Regan years), allowing the US to continue economic and technological development.

Overall, it is clear that energy abundance is essential for technological development, but so is energy consistency. It doesn’t matter if a wind farm can produce more power than a country needs, and if it cannot always produce this power reliably, then technological development will continue to be stunted. If the UK (and Europe in general) is to accelerate the integration of new technologies, it needs to take a serious look at this energy crisis and shift towards low-cost energy options that actually work, whether nuclear, oil, or coal.