From 5Gs to Zzzzz’s – even mobile masts need a break

We’ve spent years talking about the promise of 5G with speed, capacity, latency and innovation. But as networks grow denser, data demand surges, and AI workloads explode, another letter is quietly demanding attention: Zzzzz’s.

The future isn’t just about connecting faster. It’s about connecting smarter. And that means rethinking how networks rest, recover, and recharge, just like we do. Welcome to the era of 5Zs: low-impact, financially efficient and ready when we are.

In nature and technology alike, efficiency comes from timing, knowing when to operate at full capacity and when to rest. The same principle applies to telecom networks.

Over the last few years, there has been considerable progress for mobile network optimization, but there is still room for growth. Energy consumption for low peak periods (at 3am for example) can be reduced by roughly 66% compared to high peaks, however, this is compared to a 80% reduction in the amount of data traffic. 

There is still a misbalance, which presents an enormous opportunity for optimization. By applying data-driven control and adaptive power management, networks can learn to align energy use with actual demand, reducing consumption without affecting coverage or quality.

This is the logic behind Extreme Deep Sleep. It’s not about switching off, it’s about operating intelligently.

The rise of Deep Sleep modes

At Nokia, we’re exploring precisely that through Extreme Deep Sleep, an intelligent power-saving feature that allows base stations to dynamically power down during low-traffic periods and wake up seamlessly when activity returns.

Think of it as a circadian rhythm for networks.

When demand ebbs, the system reduces power to idle components such as transmitters or processors. When the morning rush begins, or an unexpected burst of traffic occurs, Deep Sleep rapidly restores full functionality without performance loss. The transition is invisible to users but transformative for energy efficiency.

We believe that we can achieve up to 95% reductions in site-level energy use during off-peak hours, with zero impact on user experience. In collaboration with Orange, we’ve taken this concept from the lab to live networks. In a pilot across several European markets, Nokia and Orange tested advanced RAN energy-saving features, including Deep Sleep.

This isn’t theoretical. It’s operational proof that networks can rest intelligently without compromising reliability.

From kilowatts to competitive advantage

Energy is no longer just a cost line, it’s a competitive differentiator. As electricity prices remain volatile and sustainability reporting intensifies under frameworks like the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), operators that can demonstrate measurable reductions in network emissions will gain both financial and reputational advantage.

Deep Sleep helps operators cut OPEX, strengthen ESG credentials, and accelerate decarbonization, all without a trade-off in performance.

In fact, there is a wider partnership between Nokia, Orange, and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to drive circular, low-carbon network innovation. From recycling legacy hardware to sourcing refurbished equipment and designing for reuse, the collaboration shows that sustainability and performance can evolve in lockstep.

The road ahead

The AI era will stretch our networks in unprecedented ways. Compute-intensive workloads, edge inference, private networks, all will increase energy draw. The only sustainable path forward is to make every electron count.

Deep Sleep is one piece of that puzzle, part of a broader Nokia mission to reach net-zero emissions by 2040, powered by 100% renewable electricity and designing, and building, circular, efficient network architectures that respect both planet and profit.

But the real opportunity lies in mindset. 

The networks that will lead the 2030s won’t just perform better, they’ll behave better. They’ll sense, adapt, rest, and recover with human-like intelligence. In that world, sustainability isn’t the end goal. It’s simply how the best networks will work.

For further examples, check out our People and Planet impact report and our Sustainability Statement.