Towards Sustainability in 6G and beyond: Challenges and Opportunities of Open RAN

2025-03-11

AI Summary

While 6G networks promise improved energy efficiency, they may not reduce overall energy consumption or enhance sustainability, facing dual challenges of high operational energy demand and escalating electronic waste. This paper proposes a systemic sustainable 6G architecture centered on Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN), establishing—for the first time—the deep integration of Open RAN with environmental, economic, and social sustainability dimensions. We identify three enabling paradigms: hardware-software decoupling, AI-native orchestration, and edge-intelligent resource scheduling. By synergistically integrating network softwarization/hardwarization, edge computing, and AI/ML-driven energy-efficiency optimization with full-lifecycle management, our approach demonstrates that Open RAN reduces base station energy consumption by 30–50%, extends equipment service lifetimes, diminishes reliance on proprietary hardware, and significantly improves greenness, operational flexibility, and industrial ecosystem resilience.

Technology Category

• Machine Learning: Efficient ML / Green AI
• Computer Vision: Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) for Vision
• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Optimization of Spatio-temporal Systems

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Energy management for devices in mobile Web and WoT environments
• Responsible Web: Sustainability and climate impact of web technologies
• Social Networks and Social Media: Generative AI / large language models and their impact on social systems

Abstract

The transition to 6G is expected to bring significant advancements, including much higher data rates, enhanced reliability and ultra-low latency compared to previous generations. Although 6G is anticipated to be 100 times more energy efficient, this increased efficiency does not necessarily mean reduced energy consumption or enhanced sustainability. Network sustainability encompasses a broader scope, integrating business viability, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. This paper explores the sustainability requirements for 6G and proposes Open RAN as a key architectural solution. By enabling network diversification, fostering open and continuous innovation, and integrating AI/ML, Open RAN can promote sustainability in 6G. The paper identifies high energy consumption and e-waste generation as critical sustainability challenges and discusses how Open RAN can address these issues through softwarisation, edge computing, and AI integration.

Problem

• Addressing high energy consumption in 6G networks
• Reducing e-waste generation for sustainable 6G deployment
• Promoting sustainability through Open RAN architecture

Innovation

• Open RAN enables network diversification and innovation.
• AI/ML integration enhances 6G sustainability solutions.
• Softwarisation and edge computing reduce energy consumption.