Carbon Footprint of 4G-LTE Networks at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz: A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

This study aims to calculate the carbon footprint of 4G-L TE Mobile network in Depok City, Indonesia through the utilization of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. The cradle-to-grave LCA includes all stages of the cellular network's life cycle, which includes material extraction and processing, equipment production and shipping, network operation and maintenance, and end-of-life disposal. It employs coverage and capacity planning approaches by utilizing two separate frequencies, specifically 900 and 1800 MHz. GWP20, or Green Warming Potential over 20 years, serves as a benchmark for evaluating the impact of each component on global warming over a 20-year period. The results show that by conducting coverage planning for 15 tower sites in the 900 MHz frequency range, the total carbon emissions reached 521,972.90 kgCO2/eq. Similarly, for the 1800 MHz frequency range with 53 tower sites, the carbon emissions amounted to 1,454,897 kg CO2 2/eq. Meanwhile, by employing capacity planning for 466 tower sites, the carbon emissions reached a total of 16,215,957 kg CO2 /eq for towers operating at a frequency of 900 MHz. At a frequency of 1800 MHz, the carbon emission estimate is 12,792,117.26 kg CO2 /eq.