T-Mobile (part of Deutsche Telekom)

SECTOR: Mobile Network Operator

DATE JOINED GREEN500: January 2008

What they have done so far:

T-Mobile UK is building an energy-efficient mobile network. Last year they reduced their carbon emissions by 17% compared to 2006 by reducing actual energy use across the business and switching to a mix of renewable and lower-carbon CHP energy.
They completed a large roll out of telecommunications equipment that is 31% more energy efficient than the previous generation.
T-Mobile UK uses energy smart meters to measure and monitor energy use and is the first company in the country to roll out 6,000 of them in a very large-scale. The accurate data is expected to reduce energy bills by around 7% per annum and they now have the capability to identify new energy efficient measures.
T-Mobile has worked with the Carbon Trust to benchmark their energy use and develop plan for carbon savings. They now know that 86% of their energy needs are required to run their mobile network.
They use free air cooling on all of their base stations, which pumps in air from the outside to cool the telecoms equipment cabinets rather than relying on higher-energy mechanical air conditioning units.
Transport initiatives include a car sharing scheme for employees, hybrid cars on their company car scheme and bicycles as part of a flexible benefits scheme.
On a broader level, T-Mobile is part of the Deutsche Telekom group, which is committed reducing its energy-related CO2 emissions by increasing energy efficiency and making greater use of renewable energy, as well as offering products that help customers to reduce emissions.
Deutsche Telekom is also a member of the Global e-Sustainability Initiative, which is a group of global companies from the ICT sector working together to address sustainability challenges such as climate change.

What they say about Green500:

“We are delighted to be the first mobile network to join Green500 and be part of such an important initiative that aims to help organisations cut carbon emissions that can have an adverse effect on the environment and improve energy-efficiency. We see this as an opportunity to be a model of excellent sustainable practice.”
Allison Murray, Corporate Responsibility Manager, T-Mobile UK