How long does it take for the CO2eq emissions from the production, shipping, installation and use of fibre to result in a net emission saving overuse of copper?

Background

BDUK wishes to develop a stronger evidence base around the telecoms market and how it functions at a national level. In these markets, BDUK is interested in increasing understanding of infrastructure planning and decision making, as well as how infrastructure maintenance can be ensured in the long term.

BDUK would like more insight into the barriers to delivery of gigabit and mobile roll-out across the UK and what technological innovations may assist in this. International comparisons for gigabit and mobile connectivity roll out would also be beneficial.

Cutting across all programmes, BDUK wants to understand more about the impacts of fixed and mobile connectivity, specifically how greater connectivity benefits businesses, residents, and public sector organisations. In addition, BDUK also needs more evidence on the behavioural changes connectivity makes to residents and businesses which have been connected, and the wider impacts this may have.

Lastly, BDUK is interested in more evidence on the environmental impact of its work.

Next steps

If you are keen to register your interest in working and connecting with DSIT Digital Technology and Telecoms Group and/or submitting evidence, then please complete the DSIT-ARI Evidence survey - https://dsit.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cDfmK2OukVAnirs.
Please view full details: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-science-innovation-and-technology-areas-of-research-interest/dsit-areas-of-research-interest-2024

Source

This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:

DSIT Areas of Research Interest 2024 GOV UK

Related UKRI funded projects


  • Roadmap for the Evaluation of the environmental Impact of next Generation telecommunications Networks and Services (REIGNS)

    Cambium will develop a **R**oadmap for the **E**valuation of the environmental **I**mpact of next **G**eneration telecommunications **N**etworks and **S**ervices (REIGNS). Information and Communications Technologies (IC...

    Funded by: TMF

    Lead research organisation: CAMBIUM UK LLP

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project specifically focuses on evaluating the environmental impact of next-generation telecommunications networks, which directly relates to the question about CO2eq emissions from production, shipping, installation, and use of fibre compared to copper.

  • NetworkPlus - A green, connected and prosperous Britain

    The impending rollout of 5G offers significant opportunity to reassess how to build, operate and manage networks in a smart, strategic way providing connectivity and mobility equity across the UK. For example, implementi...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: London South Bank University

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project specifically addresses the environmental impact of connectivity and provides insights on carbon emissions reduction through digital transformation.

  • CANDISE: Change-Oriented Assessments for Net-Zero Digital Services

    With discernible effects of climate change manifesting globally, immediate reduction of carbon emissions is crucial. The UK aims to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035, of which 2% to 4% come from the ICT sector. The UN sect...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Bristol

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on assessing the environmental impact of digital services and aims to provide a framework for pursuing Net-Zero goals, which is partially relevant to the question.

  • Green Heterogeneous Networks

    The tremendous development of mobile networks has enabled ubiquitous communication that has transformed the way people connect with each other. With fast and reliable information exchange, mobile communication is becomin...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Manchester

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project addresses the energy efficiency of mobile networks and the need for higher data rates, which is partially relevant to the question about CO2eq emissions comparison between fibre and copper.

  • University of East London and Cistor Limited KTP 21_22 R2

    To demonstrate the environmental and economic opportunity to keep networking equipment in use for longer and inspire industry wide behaviour change, significantly reducing ICT's environmental impact....

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Lead research organisation: UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON

  • CBET-EPSRC: TECAN - Telemetry-Enabled Carbon Aware Networking

    Addressing climate change is of existential importance. Although there are many contributing factors, energy production and consumption has one of the most direct impacts on the environment. A significant portion of this...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Lead research organisation: University of Oxford

Similar ARIs from other organisations